Surprise — Defs

01 n. The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.

1.
The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.
2.
The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment.
“Pure surprise and fear Made me to quit the house.” — Shak.
3.
Anything that causes such a state or emotion.
4.
A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents.[Obs.]

Phrases & compounds

Surprise party — a party of persons who assemble by mutual agreement, and without invitation, at the house of a common friend.

Syn. Wonder; astonishment; amazement.

02 v. t. To come or fall suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares; to seize or capture by unexpected attack.

imp. & p. p. Surprised; p. pr. & vb. n. Surprising

1.
To come or fall suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares; to seize or capture by unexpected attack.
“Fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.” — Isa. xxxiii. 14.

“The castle of Macduff I will surprise.” — Shak.

“Who can speak The mingled passions that surprised his heart?” — Thomson.
2.
To strike with wonder, astonishment, or confusion, by something sudden, unexpected, or remarkable; to confound; as, his conduct surprised me.
“I am surprised with an uncouth fear.” — Shak.

“Up he starts, Discovered and surprised.” — Milton.
3.
To lead (one) to do suddenly and without forethought; to bring (one) into some unexpected state; -- with into; as, to be surprised into an indiscretion; to be surprised into generosity.
4.
To hold possession of; to hold.[Obs.]
“Not with me, That in my hands surprise the sovereignity.” — J. Webster.

Syn. See Astonish.