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. King.
Surprise party, a party of persons who assemble by mutual agreement, and without invitation, at the house of a common friend. Bartlett.
Syn. — Wonder; astonishment; amazement.