nightdressn.
/ˈnʌɪtdrɛs/, U.S. /ˈnaɪtˌdrɛs/ A loose garment worn or intended to be worn in bed; (now) spec. such a garment worn by a woman or child. Also: = nightclothes n. 1 (now archaic).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > nightwear
night-gear1560
nightclothes1567
nightdress?c1663
bed-apparel1822
nightwear1886
sleeping-suit1897
slumberwear1909
sleep-wear1935
sleepsuit1958
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > dress, robe, or gown > types of > for specific purpose > for wear during the night
wyliecoat1634
nightdress?c1663
bedgown1756
robe de nuit1823
nightgown1824
nightie1863
?c1663 B. Whitelocke Diary (1990) 317 The Q[ueen]..excused her habit, that..she appeared in her night dresse being not well.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iv. 32 The Fair ones feel such Maladies as these, When each new Night-Dress gives a new Disease.
1776 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (rev. ed.) IV. xvii. 119 [She] put on a sumptuous bedgown, with a suitable night-dress for her head.
1799 C. B. Brown Edgar Huntly II. 68 My uncle, in his night-dress, and apparently just risen from his bed, stood before me!
1836 E. Howard Rattlin li Bounding down the hill, in her night-dress.
1865 G. O. Trevelyan Cawnpore 9 A silk shirt and linen drawers, the universal night dress of the East.
1897 M. L. Hughes Mediterranean Fever v. 188 The comfort of this form of garment, be it night-dress or suit, will be most evident.
1944 E. Bowen in Penguin New Writing 20 60 Zipping on her enchanted house-coat over her night-dress.
1992 R. MacNeil Burden of Desire ii. 204 Lying in bed, wearing a flannel nightdress and woollen stockings, she shivered with embarrassment.
Compounds
nightdress bag n. = nightdress case n.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > dress, robe, or gown > types of > for specific purpose > for wear during the night > case for
nightdress bag1912
1912 N.E.D. at Toilet sb. Also, in dictionaries, from Cotgrave, a night-dress bag.
1975 Times 25 Nov. 2/6 He tried to punch her and hit a toy dog nightdress bag instead.
nightdress case n. a bag or case in which a nightdress can be kept when it is not being worn.
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1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) p. xlvi/4 Night Dress Cases.
1932 D. C. Minter Mod. Needlecraft 218/2 A triangular embroidered night-dress case.
1991 M. Binchy Circle of Friends (BNC) 43 There was a neat candlewick bedspread and a funny nightdress case shaped like a rabbit.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.?c1663