academic costume: Meaning and Definition of

ac'adem'ic cos'tume

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. the ceremonial garb of the students and faculty in schools, colleges, and universities, consisting of a flat cap (mortarboard), a long, wide-sleeved gown, and sometimes a hood, worn esp. at commencement exercises.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.