Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Surprise?

\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.
\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}.