How Do You Spell SURPLICE?

Pronunciation: [sˈɜːplɪs] (IPA)

The word "surplice" is spelled with an "s-u-r" at the beginning followed by a "p-l-i-c-e" at the end. The word means a loose white linen vestment worn by priests during religious ceremonies. The correct pronunciation of "surplice" is /ˈsɜrp.lɪs/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "sur" is pronounced as "sir," and the "plice" is pronounced as "pliss." It is important to spell words correctly to avoid confusion and misinterpretation, especially in religious contexts where precise terminology is essential.

SURPLICE Meaning and Definition

1. A surplice is a loose-fitting liturgical vestment worn by clergy members, particularly in Christian churches during specific religious ceremonies. It is typically made of white or light-colored linen or cotton fabric and is sleeveless, reaching just below the waist or covering the hips. This garment is commonly worn over a cassock, a long-sleeved clerical garment.

   The surplice is an essential part of clerical attire and is often used by priests, ministers, and other religious functionaries. Its distinctive design features wide, billowing sleeves that create a bell-shaped or flared appearance. The garment is primarily worn during services such as Mass, Holy Communion, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. It signifies the wearer's role as a servant of God and emphasizes their ordained status within the church hierarchy.

   Historically, the surplice was associated with the Roman Catholic Church, but it is now worn by various Christian denominations, including Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran. The term "surplice" is derived from the Latin word "superpelliceum," meaning "over the fur," which refers to its initial purpose as a garment worn over a heavy, fur-lined tunic. Over time, the surplice evolved to become a symbol of purity and liturgical function and is often embroidered or decorated with lace on the edges to enhance its aesthetic appeal.

2. An outer, long, white, linen robe, with wide sleeves, worn by an officiating clergyman in certain parts of the service in the Episcopal or R. Cath. Ch., and in others.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SURPLICE *

• surprice 50%
• suprice 16.6666666%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SURPLICE

• surplied
• sorprice
• surpace
• supplices
• surpsie
• suplise
• surpile
• surpeise
• surpize
• supprice
• surpsise
• surplies
• surpface
• surpling
• serprice
• surpice
• surpluse
• supplire
• surplier
• supplise
• supplice
• supplie
• puplice
• suplie
• supplide
• surploce
• surplicee
• surplicede
• serpliced
• symplice
• Surucuce
• Furtelice
• surpriece
• Surice
• Supliace
• survliced
• surplicied
• Surphie
• supplicse
• surplacce

Etymology of SURPLICE

The word surplice has its etymology rooted in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin word superpelliceum, which is a compound of super meaning over or above, and pelliceum meaning fur garment.

Similar spelling words for SURPLICE

• surplusage,
• surplus,
• surpliced.

Plural form of SURPLICE is SURPLICES