lawn sleeves

Alternative forms

• lawn-sleeves, sleeves of lawn

Etymology

From the sleeves of the bishops' robes, which were made of lawn (“fine linen”).

Noun

lawn sleeves pl (plural only)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: 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

• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933 Volume 6, Page 120 (1908)