Surprise /(?)/

Sur·prise

Surprise

n.
  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.
  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.

Surprise

v. t.

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.
    Who can speak The mingled passions that surprised his heart?
  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.
    Up he starts, Discovered and surprised.
  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.