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Silk Gown

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Anderson (1889), Abbott (1879)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The professional robe worn distinctive badge of queen's or king's counsel, SILVA CAEDUA (Lat.) By these words, in England, is understood every sort of wood, except gross wood of the age of twenty years. Bac. Abr. "Tythes" (C). SIMILITER (Lat. likewise). In pleading The plaintiff's reply that, as the defendant has put himself upon the country, he, the plaintiff, does the like. It occurs only when the plea has the conclusion to the country, and its effect is to join the plaintiff in the issue thus tendered by the defendant. Co. Litt. 126a. The word similiter was the effective word when the proceedings were in Latin. 1 Chit. PI. 519; Archb. Civ. PI. 250. See Steph. PI. 255; 2 Saund. 319b; Cowp. 407; 1 Strange, 551; 11 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 32.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

Used especially of the take silk’ 1 means to attain the rank of queen’s counsel. Moz. & W. See Barrister. SILVA C A* D UA (Lat.). By these words, In England, is understood every sort of wood, except gross wood of the age of twenty years. Bac. Abr. Tythes (C).

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Used especially of the gowns worn in England by king's counsel; hence, "to take silk" means to attain the rank of king's counsel. Mozley & Whitley.

A Dictionary of Law

William C. Anderson · 1889

See Gown, 3.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

Is the professional robe worn by those barristers who have been appointed of the number of her majesty's counsel, and is the distinctive badge of queen's counsel, as the stuff gown is of the " juniors " who have not attained that dignity. Accordingly, when a barrister is raised to the degree of queen's counsel, he is said to have " got a silk gown." The right to confer this dignity resides with the lord chancellor, who disposes of this branch of his patronage according to the