n. & v.
n. 1 an unexpected or astonishing event or circumstance. 2 the emotion caused by this. 3 the act of catching a person etc. unawares, or the process of being caught unawares. 4 (attrib.) unexpected; made or done etc. without warning (a surprise visit).
v.tr. 1 affect with surprise; turn out contrary to the expectations of (your answer surprised me; I surprised her by arriving early). 2 (usu. in passive; foll. by at) shock, scandalize (I am surprised at you). 3 capture or attack by surprise. 4 come upon (a person) unawares (surprised him taking a biscuit). 5 (foll. by into) startle (a person) by surprise into an action etc. (surprised them into consenting). take by surprise affect with surprise, esp. by an unexpected encounter or statement. surprisedly adv. surprising adj. surprisingly adv. surprisingness n.
[ OF, fem. past part. of surprendre (as SUR-(1), prendre f. L praehendere seize) ]