SURPLICE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does surplice mean? 

• SURPLICE (noun)
  The noun SURPLICE has 1 sense:

1. a loose-fitting white ecclesiastical vestment with wide sleeves

  Familiarity information: SURPLICE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SURPLICE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A loose-fitting white ecclesiastical vestment with wide sleeves

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("surplice" is a kind of...):

vestment (gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy)

 Context examples 

Mr. Wood is in the vestry, sir, putting on his surplice.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The old reprobate with the surplice burst into a volley of bad language.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The idea of Edward's being a clergyman, and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure;—and when to that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a white surplice, and publishing the banns of marriage between John Smith and Mary Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

We entered the quiet and humble temple; the priest waited in his white surplice at the lowly altar, the clerk beside him.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The old man, still clad in his surplice, burst into such a string of foul oaths as I have never heard, and pulled out a revolver of his own, but, before he could raise it, he was looking down the barrel of Holmes’s weapon.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He mused—for ten minutes he held counsel with himself: he formed his resolve, and announced it—"Enough! all shall bolt out at once, like the bullet from the barrel. Wood, close your book and take off your surplice; John Green (to the clerk), leave the church: there will be no wedding to-day."

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Between them an elderly, grey-bearded man, wearing a short surplice over a light tweed suit, had evidently just completed the wedding service, for he pocketed his prayer-book as we appeared, and slapped the sinister bridegroom upon the back in jovial congratulation.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I burnt for the more active life of the world—for the more exciting toils of a literary career—for the destiny of an artist, author, orator; anything rather than that of a priest: yes, the heart of a politician, of a soldier, of a votary of glory, a lover of renown, a luster after power, beat under my curate's surplice.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)