I. noun
also sur·prize -īz
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: surprise from Middle English, from Middle French, from feminine of Old French surpris, past participle of surprendre to take over, from sur- + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to seize, grasp; surprize alteration (influenced by prize ) (V) of surprise — more at prehensile
1.
a.
(1) : the action of assailing unexpectedly or attacking without warning : the sudden attacking and capture of something (as a fort or body of troops) unprepared
a fortified camp … capable of resisting surprises — J.A.Froude
(2) : the action of coming upon unexpectedly or taking unawares — used especially in the phrase take by surprise
b. : an instance of taking unawares
c. obsolete : a sudden attack of illness or emotion
2.
a. : something that surprises : an occasion for, a cause of, or a quality arousing astonishment : something (as an event) unexpected or astonishing
many of the psychologic surprises of the first flight are pleasant — H.G.Armstrong
his development … was probably a surprise to himself — A.W.Long
offering few intellectual surprises — Harry Levin
b. : a pie or other fancy dish with agreeably surprising contents
3. : the emotion excited by something sudden, unexpected, or contrary to expectation:
a. archaic : terror, perplexity, or alarm caused by a sudden attack or calamity
pure surprise and fear made me to quit the house — Shakespeare
b. : astonishment , wonder
she never starts or shows surprise — Rose Macaulay
the surprise which I felt on first learning of the award — E.C.Willatts
gave a cry of delighted surprise — W.S.Maugham
4. : the state of being mentally or emotionally surprised
in his surprise he dropped the book
II. transitive verb
also surprize “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: surprise from Middle French, from Old French, feminine of surpris, past participle of surprendre; surprize alteration (influenced by prize ) (V) of surprise
1. obsolete
a. : to take hold of : affect strongly and suddenly : seize
all on a sudden miserable pain surpris'd thee — John Milton
surprised with joy at the motion — Daniel Defoe
b. : to seize and hold in one's possession : captivate , overcome , overpower
power, like new wine, does your weak brain surprise — John Dryden
2.
a. : to attack unexpectedly and without warning : assail suddenly : make an unexpected assault upon
surprised the little garrison … and captured the arsenal — American Guide Series: Maryland
at dawn the household was surprised by a sudden Indian attack — American Guide Series: New Hampshire
b.
(1) : to take suddenly by storm : seize or capture by a sudden and unexpected attack
(2) archaic : to take possession of by force : make captive : take prisoner : capture , seize
3.
a. : to take unawares (as in an act or by an unexpected visit) : come upon abruptly or without warning : catch in the act
police surprised the burglars leaving the store
b. : to bring out or to light by a sudden and unexpected action : detect, uncover, or elicit by taking (as a person) unawares
surprised the secret of his murderous past through a stolen letter — Henri Peyre
sometimes surprised a tragic shadow in her eyes — Willa Cather
4.
a. obsolete : to ensnare or implicate by something (as a sudden disclosure or proposal) that takes one unawares
b. : to lead, impel, drive, or cause to do something or bring into some state in a sudden and unexpected way : lead on or betray into something not intended
his debate … had surprised him into attacking the authority of the Pope — Stringfellow Barr
surprised into an indiscretion
5. : to strike with wonder or amazement because unexpected or different from what has been anticipated : affect with an emotion (as astonishment, awe, shock, or unexpected pleasure, disgust, or delight)
the morning skies … surprised her daily as if they were uncommon things — Rebecca West
his conduct surprised me
Synonyms:
astonish , astound , amaze , flabbergast : surprise may indicate coming upon another suddenly and with startling effect; it may apply to any unexpected or unanticipated development bringing a degree of wonder
the enemy was surprised — Infantry Journal
apt not only to be interested but also to be surprised by the experience life was holding in store for him — Joseph Conrad
astonish may indicate a surprising with the most unlikely, the unaccountable, or the incredible that virtually dazes one
in the fashion of the magician who astonishes twice, once with the trick and again with its secret — L.J.Halle
a flight that will astonish the world — Francis Stuart
astound applies to the effect of what confounds, shocks, or stuns as unprecedented
the girl was astounded and alarmed by the altogether unknown expression in the woman's face — Joseph Conrad
astounded his congregation by putting up for sale a mulatto slave girl — American Guide Series: New York City
amaze suggests astonished bewilderment or perplexity
it amazed her that this soft little creature could be thus firm — George Meredith
nothing amazes these people more than to see a man, apparently sane, meekly submitting to outrageous extortion — Norman Douglas
flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and often bewilderment or dismay
his appointment flabbergasted those who knew his record