Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » surplice

surplice

(sʉr′plis)

noun

a loose, white, wide-sleeved outer ecclesiastical vestment for some services, ranging from hip length to knee length

Origin: ME surplis < Anglo-Fr surpliz < OFr < ML superpelliceum < L super-, above (see super-) + pelliceum, fur robe, neut. of L pelliceus, made of skins < pellis, skin (see fell)

Related Forms:

surpliced adjective

See surplice in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A loose-fitting, white ecclesiastical gown with wide sleeves, worn over a cassock.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English surplis

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman surpliz

Origin: , variant of Old French sourpeliz

Origin: , from Medieval Latin superpellīcium

Origin: : Latin super-, super-

Origin: + Medieval Latin pellīcium, fur coat (from Latin, neuter of pellīcius, made of skin, from pellis, skin; see pel-³ in Indo-European roots)

Learn more about surplice

surplice in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD