n.
Variant: also sur · prize
Pronunciation: s ə (r)- ' pr ī z
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English suppryse exaction, seizure, from Anglo-French sousprise, supprise, from feminine of supris, surpris, suspris, past participle of surprendre & susprendre to capture, take by surprise, from sur- & sus-, suz under + prendre to take ― more at PRIZE , SOUS
Date: 15th century
1 a : an attack made without warning b : a taking unawares
2 : something that surprises
3 : the state of being surprised : ASTONISHMENT