stuff gown

Stuff \Stuff\, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain
   origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t.
   Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.]
   1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of
      manufacture.
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            For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the
            work to make it, and too much.        --Ex. xxxvi.
                                                  7.
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            Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.
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            The workman on his stuff his skill doth show,
            And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. --Sir
                                                  J. Davies.
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   2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up;
      elemental part; essence.
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            Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
            To do no contrived murder.            --Shak.
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   3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind;
      specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or
      worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.
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            What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?     --Shak.
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            It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though,
            superior kinds were of silk exclusively. --F. G.
                                                  Lee.
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   4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.
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            He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
                                                  --Hayward.
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   5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak.
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   6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or
      irrational language; nonsense; trash.
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            Anger would indite
            Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write. --Dryden.
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   7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with
      which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared
      for lubrication.                            --Ham. Nav.
                                                  Encyc.
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   8. Paper stock ground ready for use.
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   Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight.
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   {Clear stuff}. See under {Clear}.

   {Small stuff} (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham.
      Nav. Encyc.

   {Stuff gown}, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister;
      hence, a junior barrister himself. See {Silk gown}, under
      {Silk}.
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