1. In his billowing white surplice he looked like a dishevelled old bird struggling to take off in a high wind.

2. Mr Copley, robed in cassock and billowing surplice, was impatiently pacing the back lawn seeming oblivious to their presence.

3. Chapter Three Miss Dunstable decided to say nothing about the Rector's imperfectly ironed surplice.

4. The elderly cleric was standing in the doorway in his surplice to welcome them.

5. The vicar insisted that it would mean wearing the uniform his people would recognise, and that included the surplice.

6. Even more successful in this purpose is the white surplice which happily hangs from Anglican shoulders.

7. Our table is graced by a single chorister - salt in a fluted surplice.

8. THE NEEDLE The long thread draws its breath as she sews him a shirt more like a surplice.

9. Cope: a long ecclesiastical vestment worn over an alb or surplice.