[sur.prise] also sur.prize n [ME, fr. MF, fr. fem. of surpris, pp. of surprendre to take over, surprise, fr. sur- + prendre to take--more at prize] (15c) 1 a: an attack made without warning b: a taking unawares
2: something that surprises
3: the state of being surprised: astonishment
[2]surprise also surprize vb sur.prised ; sur.pris.ing vt (15c) 1: to attack unexpectedly; also: to capture by an unexpected attack
2. a: to take unawares b: to detect or elicit by a taking unawares
3: to strike with wonder or amazement esp. because unexpected ~ vi: to cause astonishment or surprise "her success didn't ~" -- sur.pris.er n syn surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. surprise stresses causing an effect through being unexpected at a particular time or place rather than by being essentially unusual or novel "surprised to find them at home". astonish implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible "a discovery that astonished the world". astound stresses the shock of astonishment "too astounded to respond". amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment "amazed by the immense size of the place". flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay "flabbergasted by his angry refusal".