lawn sleeves

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) the sleeves of lawn forming part of the dress of an Anglican bishop.
2. (used with a singular verb) the office of an Anglican bishop.
3. (used with a singular or plural verb) an Anglican bishop or bishops.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawn sleeves¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

There would be mention of the bishops in their lawn sleeves, the judges in their ermine robes, the pillory, the stocks, the treadmill, the cat-o’-nine-tails, the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, and the practice of kissing the Pope’s toe.

From Literature

She held up her hands, strong, shapely hands, and surveyed them critically, drawing up her lawn sleeves above the wrists.

From Literature

There he was confined seven months, doing infinitely more mischief, for the cause of lawn sleeves and white frocks, forms, ceremonies, and hat-worship, as he calls it, than if he had been loose.

From Project Gutenberg

Lawn′y.—Lawn sleeves, wide sleeves of lawn worn by Anglican bishops.

From Project Gutenberg

Prethee why should we look for any Protestant Bishops in the Kingdom, when there's no Protestant Episcopacy in the World? but for all this, we may yet live to see the Rufling of their Lawn sleeves.

From Project Gutenberg