Sur*prise" (?), n. [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.
© Webster 1913.
Sur*prise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surprised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surprising.] [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.
© Webster 1913.