transitive verb surprised -·prised′, surprising -·pris′·ing

1. to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly; take unawares
2. to attack or capture suddenly and without warning
3. 1. to cause to feel wonder or astonishment by being unexpected
   2. to present (someone) unexpectedly with a gift, etc.
4. 1. to cause by some unexpected action to do or say something unintended to surprise someone into an admission
   2. to bring out or elicit by such means to surprise an admission from someone

Etymology: ME surprysen < OFr surpris, pp. of sorprendre, to surprise, take napping < sur- (see sur-) + prendre, to take (see prize)

noun

1. Now Rare the act of surprising or taking unawares
2. an unexpected seizure or attack
3. the state of being surprised; feeling aroused by something unusual or unexpected; wonder or astonishment
4. something that surprises because unexpected, unusual, etc.