Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

surplice

 - 4 dictionary results
Surplice
Find Surplice at Target. Shop and Save at Target.com.
www.Target.com
Slabbinck
Quality Church Supplies & Apparel! All Slabbinck by A.T. Merhaut, Inc.
www.slabbinck.be

sur⋅plice

  [sur-plis]
Use surplice in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME surplis < AF surpliz, syncopated var. of OF surpeliz < ML superpellīcium (vestīmentum) over-pelt (garment), neut. of superpellīcius (adj.), equiv. to L super- super- + pellīt(us) clothed with skins + -ius adj. suffix

Related forms:
surpliced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To surplice
Surplice
Find Surplice at Target. Shop and Save at Target.com.
www.Target.com
Slabbinck
Quality Church Supplies & Apparel! All Slabbinck by A.T. Merhaut, Inc.
www.slabbinck.be
sur·plice   (sûr'plĭs)   
n.  A loose-fitting, white ecclesiastical gown with wide sleeves, worn over a cassock.

[Middle English surplis, from Anglo-Norman surpliz, variant of Old French sourpeliz, from Medieval Latin superpellīcium : Latin super-, super- + Medieval Latin pellīcium, fur coat (from Latin, neuter of pellīcius, made of skin, from pellis, skin; see pel-3 in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

surplice 
"loose white robe," c.1290, from O.Fr. surpeliz, from M.L. superpellicium "a surplice," lit. "an over fur garment," from L. super "over" (see super-) + M.L. pellicium "fur garment, tunic of skins," from L. pellis "skin." So called because it was put on over fur garments worn by clergymen to keep warm in unheated medieval churches.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

surplice

white outer vestment worn by clergymen, acolytes, choristers, or other participants in Roman Catholic and in Anglican, Lutheran, and other Protestant religious services. It is a loose garment, usually with full sleeves. Originally the surplice was full length, but gradually it was shortened to the knees or above. In the 20th century some surplices were again made full length

Learn more about surplice with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see surplice on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way