surplice

surplice
surpliced, adj.
/serr"plis/, n.
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.
[1250-1300; ME surplis < AF surpliz, syncopated var. of OF surpeliz < ML superpellicium (vestimentum) over-pelt (garment), neut. of superpellicius (adj.), equiv. to L super- SUPER- + pellit(us) clothed with skins + -ius adj. suffix]

* * *

      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.

      A modified alb, the surplice probably originated in the 11th century in France or England, where the girdled alb was given up in the cold climate and the surplice was worn for uniform appearance over fur-lined garments. It was adopted in Rome in the 13th century. After the Protestant Reformation (16th century), the surplice was retained by the Church of England, and it is the most common vestment worn by Anglican and many Lutheran clergymen. It has no counterpart in the Eastern churches.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Surplice — • A large sleeved tunic of half length, made of fine linen or cotton, and worn by all the clergy Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Surplice     Surplice      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Surplice — Sur plice, n. [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,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surplice — loose white robe, late 13c., from O.Fr. surpeliz, from M.L. superpellicium a surplice, lit. an over fur garment, from L. super over (see SUPER (Cf. super )) + M.L. pellicium fur garment, tunic of skins, from L. pellis skin (see FILM …   Etymology dictionary

  • surplice — ► NOUN ▪ a loose white linen robe worn over a cassock by clergy and choristers at Christian church services. ORIGIN Old French sourpelis, from Latin super above + pellicia fur garment …   English terms dictionary

  • surplice — [sʉr′plis] n. [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 FELL4)] a loose, white, wide sleeved outer… …   English World dictionary

  • Surplice — A surplice (Late Latin superpelliceum , from super , over and pellis , fur ) is a liturgical vestment of the Western Christian Church. The surplice has the form of a tunic of white linen or cotton material, reaching to the knee or to the ankles,… …   Wikipedia

  • surplice — I. noun Etymology: Middle English surplis, from Anglo French, from Medieval Latin superpellicium, from super + pellicium coat of skins, from Latin, neuter of pellicius made of skins, from pellis skin more at fell Date: 13th century a loose white… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Surplice — This is a rare name which in its various spellings has been found in North America since the early days of independence. It s origin is French and derives from Surplice, the gown of a priest and refers to one who manufactured such a garment or is …   Surnames reference

  • surplice — UK [ˈsɜː(r)plɪs] / US [ˈsɜrplɪs] noun [countable] Word forms surplice : singular surplice plural surplices a loose white piece of clothing, worn over other clothes by priests, church singers, and people who help during ceremonies …   English dictionary

  • surplice — [[t]sɜ͟ː(r)plɪs[/t]] surplices N COUNT A surplice is a loose white knee length garment which is worn over a longer garment by priests and members of the choir in some churches. ...the priest and choir in their lace surplices …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”