4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Surprise  \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}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  surprise 
  n  1:  the  astonishment  you  feel  when  something  totally  unexpected 
  happens  to  you 
  2:  a  sudden  unexpected  event 
  3:  the  act  of  surprising  someone  [syn:  {surprising},  {surprisal}] 
  v  1:  take  unawares  or  by  surprise;  cause  to  be  surprised;  "The 
  news  really  surprised  me" 
  2:  take  unawares;  "She  surprised  the  couple";  "He  surprised  an 
  interesting  scene" 
  3:  attack  by  storm;  attack  suddenly  [syn:  {storm}] 
 
  From  U.S.  Gazetteer  (1990)  [gazetteer]: 
 
  Surprise,  AZ  (town,  FIPS  71510) 
  Location:  33.66411  N,  112.46845  W 
  Population  (1990):  7122  (5256  housing  units) 
  Area:  161.3  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  85374 
  Surprise,  NE  (village,  FIPS  47850) 
  Location:  41.10439  N,  97.30863  W 
  Population  (1990):  55  (26  housing  units) 
  Area:  1.0  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Surprise,  NY 
  Zip  code(s):  12176 

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