WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sur*prise"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. surprise, fr. surprendre, surpris; sur over + prendre to take, L. prehendere. See Sur-, and Prehensile.]
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Sur*prise"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [From Surprise, n.: cf. F. surprendre, p.p. surpris.]
Definition : 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.

t. [imp. & p. p. Surprised; p. pr. & vb. n. Surprising.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913