Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun plural The articles of dress prescribed and worn at some colleges and universities.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun UK The articles of dress prescribed and worn at some colleges and universities, worn on special occasion, typically for graduation.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

academic +‎ -al

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Examples

  • As I sat down and began writing this review, my first reaction was something like ‘wow, academicals is a real word’ even Microsoft says as much.

    Archive 2009-12-01 Neth 2009

  • So, what is the bridge between the academicals and the masses?

    Review: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett Neth 2009

  • So, what is the bridge between the academicals and the masses?

    Archive 2009-12-01 Neth 2009

  • As I sat down and began writing this review, my first reaction was something like ‘wow, academicals is a real word’ even Microsoft says as much.

    Review: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett Neth 2009

  • Quaker Freshman, with a reproof for being in broad-brim instead of academicals, and being answered with "Friend, I am not of thy persuasion!"

    Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, Number 358, August 1845 Various

  • So partial, indeed, are several of the young men of the university to the tawny tribe, that they are frequently observed in their _academicals_, lounging round the picturesque tents, having _their_ fortunes told; though, it must be remarked, their countenances usually evince a waggish incredulity on those occasions, and they appear much more amused with the novel scene around them than gratified with the favourable predictions of the wily Egyptians.

    The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 14, No. 380, July 11, 1829 Various

  • The Dean of Ely yesterday was in a most ludicrous state of misery because his servant had sent his portmanteau (containing his scarlet academicals as well as everything else) to London, and it went to Watford before it was recovered: but he got it in time to shew himself to-day.

    Autobiography Airy, George Biddell, Sir 1896

  • In literature, purists or academicals, and realists.

    Pragmatism William James 1876

  • Next morning Dr Rowlands, in full academicals, sailed into the fourth-form room.

    Eric, or Little by Little 1867

  • On second thoughts, however, he threw his academicals back on to the sofa and went to his book-case.

    Tom Brown at Oxford Thomas Hughes 1859

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