surplice

[ sur-plis ]

noun

1. a loose-fitting, broad-sleeved white vestment, worn over the cassock by clergy and choristers.
2. a garment in which the two halves of the front cross diagonally.

surplice

/ ˈsɜːplɪs /

noun

1. a loose wide-sleeved liturgical vestment of linen, reaching to the knees, worn over the cassock by clergymen, choristers, and acolytes

Derived Forms

• ˈsurpliced, adjective

Other Words From

• surpliced adjective
• un·surpliced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surplice¹

1250–1300; Middle English surplis < Anglo-French surpliz, syncopated variant of Old French surpeliz < Medieval Latin superpellīcium ( vestīmentum ) over-pelt (garment), neuter of superpellīcius (adj.), equivalent to Latin super- super- + pellīt ( us ) clothed with skins + -ius adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of surplice¹

C13: via Anglo-French from Old French sourpelis, from Medieval Latin superpellīcium, from super- + pellīcium coat made of skins, from Latin pellis a skin

Example Sentences

Ms. Smith had already sourced her dress, an ivory, ankle-length gown, with three-quarter-length sleeves and a high surplice neckline from David’s Bridal.

From New York Times

Marshall stood erect, the lines of his padded morning-suit shoulders etched sharply against the vicar’s surplice.

From Literature

A biretta is a stiff, four-cornered hat, topped with a big, fluffy tassel, that can be worn with a cassock and surplice!

From Wall Street Journal

As outlined by www.catholic.org, the priest must wear a type of embroidered white tunic called a surplice alongside a purple stole.

From BBC

The Pushkin fairy-tale murals wrap around the dining room — kings and clergymen, surplice and soutane and ladies in waiting.

From Seattle Times