[sur.plice] n [ME surplis, fr. OF surpliz, fr. ML superpellicium, fr. super- + pellicium coat of skins, fr. L, neut. of pellicius made of skins, fr. pellis skin--more at fell] (13c): a loose white outer ecclesiastical vestment usu. of knee length with large open sleeves
[2]surplice adj (1845): having a diagonally overlapping neckline or closing "a ~ collar" "~ sweaters"