Definition of: surprise

(sər·prīz′) v.t. ·prised, ·pris·ing
1. To cause to feel wonder or astonishment because unusual or unexpected.
2. To come upon suddenly or unexpectedly; take unawares.
3. To attack suddenly and without warning; capture by surprise.
4. To lead unawares, as into doing something not intended: with into.
5. To elicit in this manner: They surprised the truth from him.
—noun
1. The act of surprising; a coming upon unawares.
2. A surprised state; astonishment.
3. Something that causes surprise, as a sudden and unexpected event, fact, or gift. Also Rare sur·prize′. [<OF surpris, pp. of surprendre <Med. L superprendere <L super- over + prehendere take]
—sur·pris′er noun