surplice

English
A man in a surplice (white)

Etymology

From Old French surpeliz, from Medieval Latin superpelliceum, from Latin super (“over”) and pellis (“fur”).

Pronunciation

Noun

surplice (plural surplices)

  1. A liturgical vestment of the Christian Church. It has the form of a tunic of white linen or cotton material, with wide or moderately wide sleeves, reaching to the hips or knees. It usually features lace decoration and may have embroidered bordures.
    • 1942, Emily Carr, The Book of Small, “The Blessing”,
      He was a wide man and looked wider in his surplice, especially from our pew, which was close up under the pulpit.

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