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Webster 1913 Edition
Surplice
Sur′plice
,Noun.
[F.
surplis
, OF. surpeiz
, LL. superpellicium
; super
over + pellicium
, pelliceum
, a robe of fur, L. pellicius
made of skins. See Pelisse
.] (Eccl.)
A white garment worn over another dress by the clergy of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and certain other churches, in some of their ministrations.
Surplice fees
(Eccl.)
, fees paid to the English clergy for occasional duties.
Webster 1828 Edition
Surplice
SURPLICE
,Noun.
A white garment worn by clergymen of some denominations over their other dress, in their ministrations. It is particularly the habit of the clergy of the church of England.
Definition 2024
surplice
surplice
English
A man in a surplice (white)
Noun
surplice (plural surplices)
- 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.
- 1942, Emily Carr, The Book of Small, “The Blessing”,
Derived terms
Translations
liturgical vestment
