Why is " robe" in plural form?

[MashUK]

Originally Posted by amigos4

Soup,

In my opinion, the London papers got it wrong. If you look at the photo, McCartney is wearing a single 'robe'...he is not wearing 'robes'.

Can you find another instance in print where the plural (robes) is used for a commencement recipient? I'd like to see it.

Cheers,
Amigo

Hola Amigo!
To my mind, the problem is not with Sir Paul McCarthney wearing only one robe, but not several ones. It is that the word "robe" being plural, acquires a bit different meaning.
Unfortunately, none of monolinguial English dictionaries are at hand at the moment, but i will look it up asap.
I admit i may be wrong, but something tells me this meaning does exist

All the best,
Mariya

[MashUK]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hi All,

Thank you very much for your answers.

By the way, Soup, the sentence I quoted in Post 1 was from Daily Mail too. I can't find it any more.

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils...

[thedaffodils]

Originally Posted by MashUK

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils...

[Soup]

Originally Posted by amigos4

Can you find another instance in print where the plural (robes) is used for a commencement recipient? I'd like to see it.

Have you considered looking for this yourself?

Do I have to wear Academic Robes for my Ceremony?
Do I have to wear Academic Robes for my Ceremony? :: Graduation

Modestly I identified myself as the visiting professor. Occasionally I wore academic robes.
GilroyDispatch.com | 'Tis High Football Season – aka 'Til Halftime Do Us Part

Take a look at the picture here robe - Wiktionary. Note, "A judge in judicial robes".


Has everyone skipped MashUK's post? (See post #2). Academic robes is another way of saying (full) academic dress. Here is MaskUK's post again.

Hi,

Because the word "robes" doesn't imply any robe (clothes) in its plural form, but means a special attire worn by the gentry or a University graduate on a graduation day or suchlike.

[MashUK]

Yes, here it is:
I) Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says:
i)Robe (esp. in compounds) a long loose outer garment: E.g.Many Arabs wear long flowing robes.
ii) (esp. plural) such a garment worn as a sign of rank or office, or for a ceremony: E.g. Coronation robes; cardinals in scarlet robes

II)Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture is of the same opinion:
i) Robe (also robes, pl.)-a long loose garment worn for official or ceremonial occassions: a judge's black robes

III) And finally, my favourite Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners:
i) a dressing gown
ii)robe or robes -a long loose piece of clothing worn by an important person such as a priest during an official ceremony: a bishop's purple robes

All the best,
Mariya

[thedaffodils]

Hi Mariya,

Thank you so much for taking time to copy that for me. I am moved.