robe

Everyday

1. A robe is a long, loose piece of clothing that covers the body, worn for special ceremonies, by judges, priests, kings and graduates. tree →
2. A robe is a bathrobe or dressing gown worn at home after a bath or before getting dressed. tree →
3. (formal) To be robed is to be dressed in a robe. tree →

In the lessons

In RE and church life, priests and choirs wear robes; in the Bible Joseph had a «robe of many colours». In history and stories, kings, wizards and judges wear robes. In everyday life, «robe» is often an American word for dressing gown. Phrases: «a judge's robe», «a long white robe», «bathrobe», «robed in».

Examples

• The judge wore a black robe. tree →
• The choir walked in, wearing white robes. tree →
• Joseph's father gave him a beautiful robe. tree →
• The wizard swept his robe around him and vanished. tree →
• I put on my robe after my bath. tree →
• The king was robed in red velvet. tree →
• She was simply dressed in a plain white robe. tree →

Note

Countable: robes. Often plural in ceremony (robes of office). British «dressing gown» = American «robe» or «bathrobe». Not to be confused with «rob» (to steal).

In Jewish tradition

The robe of the ephod was the blue garment worn by the high priest under the ephod, with bells and pomegranates on its hem.

Interpretation. Tradition says the bells let the priest be heard entering the Holy Place, and some say the robe atoned for gossip, a sin of the voice.

Examples

• And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. (Torah EXO.28.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue; (Torah EXO.39.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they made upon the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. (Torah EXO.39.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• and the gauze robes, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the mantles. (Prophets ISA.3.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Mine adversaries shall be clothed with confusion, and shall put on their own shame as a robe. (Writings PSA.109.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• I put on righteousness, and it clothed itself with me; my justice was as a robe and a diadem. (Writings JOB.29.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: robes. Often plural in ceremony (robes of office). British «dressing gown» = American «robe» or «bathrobe». Not to be confused with «rob» (to steal).