Long, loose-fitting garments, typically worn as ceremonial dress by judges, clergy, or academics, or as comfortable clothing at home.
From Old French robe, originally meaning 'booty' or 'spoils of war', later 'garment'. Germanic origin related to 'rob'. The shift from 'plunder' to 'clothing' occurred because captured garments were valuable spoils.
The word 'robe' has a surprisingly violent origin - it literally meant 'stolen goods' before it meant 'clothing'. This reflects how valuable fine garments were in medieval times, often worth stealing in warfare.
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