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.
Not with me,
That in my hands surprise the sovereignity. J. Webster.
Syn. — See Astonish.