What does "robe" mean?

1. (ceremonial or official clothing) a long, loose piece of clothing worn for special events or to show someone's high position, like a judge or a king. 2. (bathrobe or loungewear) a soft, loose piece of clothing you wear at home, usually after taking a bath or shower. 3. (to dress in a robe) to put on a robe, especially for a formal ceremony.

robe

n. · v.

US //ˈɹoʊb// UK //ɹˈəʊb// robe

1 ceremonial or official clothing (n.)
B1 Intermediate Formal

a long, loose piece of clothing worn for special events or to show someone's high position, like a judge or a king.

a long, flowing outer garment worn as an indication of rank, office, or honorary status.

Example

The judge wore a long black robe during the trial.

Example

The university chancellor led the procession in a ceremonial silk robe, its heavy embroidery catching the light as he walked toward the podium.
- gown
- vestment
2 bathrobe or loungewear (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a soft, loose piece of clothing you wear at home, usually after taking a bath or shower.

a loose garment worn for comfort or privacy, typically after bathing or while relaxing at home.

Example

She put on her warm robe and made a cup of tea.

Example

After a long day at the office, he found nothing more relaxing than changing into his cotton robe and reading by the fire.
- bathrobe
- dressing gown

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3 to dress in a robe (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary Formal

to put on a robe, especially for a formal ceremony.

to invest or dress someone in a robe; frequently used intransitively to describe the act of putting on official vestments.

Example

The choir members began to robe in the small room behind the altar.

Example

The high priest was robed in white linen before the ritual commenced, following a tradition that had remained unchanged for centuries.
- clothe
- dress
- unrobe
- undress

Origin

From Middle English robe, roobe, from Old French robe, robbe, reube (“booty, spoils of war, robe, garment”), from Frankish rouba, rauba (“booty, spoils, stolen clothes”, literally “things taken”), from Proto-Germanic raubō, raubaz, raubą (“booty, that which is stripped or carried away”), from Proto-Indo-European Hrewp- (“to tear, peel”). cognates and related terms Akin to Old High German roup (“booty”) (Modern German Raub (“robbery, spoils”)), Old High German roubōn (“to rob, steal”) (Modern German rauben (“to rob”)), Old English rēaf (“spoils, booty, dress, armour, robe, garment”), Old English rēafian (“to steal, deprive”). Cognate with Spanish ropa (“clothing, clothes”). More at rob, reaf, reave.