Category:Surprise

Sur*prise", n. Etym: [f. surprise, fr. surprendre, surpris; sur over + prendre to take, l. prehendere. See sur-, and prehensile.]

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.] King. Surprise party, a party of persons who Assemble by mutual agreement, and without invitation, at the house of A common friend. [u.s.] Bartlett.

Syn. -- wonder; astonishment; amazement.

Surprise Sur*prise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surprised; p. pr. & vb. n. Surprising.] Etym: [from surprise, n.: cf. F. surprendre, p.p. Surpris.]

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.