English

Alternative forms

• lawn-sleeves, sleeves of lawn

Noun

lawn sleeves pl ‎(plural only)

1. Used other than as an idiom: see lawn,‎ sleeves.
2. The sleeves of a bishop's ceremonial garments.
   • 1800, The Parliamentary Register, volume 12, page 481, "House of Lords, Wedneday, July 23" 1800

     The LORD CHANCELLOR declared, that in his opinion, a bishop might vote either in his lawn sleeves, or in his robes ; and in proof of it, his Lordship said he hasd more than once seen Bishops vote in a Committee of Privileges without their lawn sleeves.

3. The bishops of the Anglican or Roman Catholic churches.
   • 1777, “Debate on Lord C------n's motion more amending the address”, in John Nichols, editor, The Gentleman's magazine, volume 47, E. Cave, page 606:

     I shall implore the aid of the lawn sleeves and ermine on that occasion.

   • 1845, James Anthony Froude, John Tulloch, editor, Fraser's Magazine, volume 32, J. Fraser:

     “In the House of Lords, most likely. I rather think of bein there to-morrow night, and shal look sharpish after the lawn sleeves, you ma depend on’t."

References

• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editor (1884–1928) A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697; and The Oxford English Dictionary; being a Corrected Re-issue with an Introduction, Supplement, and Bibliography of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (the First Supplement), Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933, OCLC 2748467. Volume 6, Page 120 (1908)