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.
surplice in British English
(ˈsɜːplɪs)
noun
a loose wide-sleeved liturgical vestment of linen, reaching to the knees, worn over the cassock by members of the clergy, choristers, and acolytes
Derived forms
surpliced (ˈsurpliced)
adjective
Word origin
C13: via Anglo-French from Old French sourpelis, from Medieval Latin superpellīcium, from super- + pellīcium coat made of skins, from Latin pellis a skin
surplice in American English
(ˈsɜrplɪs)
noun
a loose, white, wide-sleeved outer ecclesiastical vestment for some services, ranging from hip length to knee length
Derived forms
surpliced (ˈsurpliced)
adjective
Word 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 fell4)
Examples of 'surplice' in a sentence
surplice
The rector of Chance came slowly past them with his surplice starched over the black cassock and turned at the chancel steps.
Thomas, Rosie THE WHITE DOVE (1987)
When we arrived at the churchyard, I donned my surplice and stole ready for the procession to the graveside.
Secombe, Fred GOODBYE CURATE (1987)
Still wearing her blue scarf and surplice, she was standing only a few feet away, half hidden by one of the pillars.
Barbara Erskine HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (1987)
She threw in the Dacron cassock and surplice, too, the scent lingering.