surprise

sur·prise

1. To encounter suddenly or unexpectedly; take or catch unawares.
2. To attack or capture suddenly and without warning.
3. To cause to feel wonder, astonishment, or amazement, as at something unanticipated.
4. a. To cause (someone) to do or say something unintended.
   b. To elicit or detect through surprise.

1. The act of surprising or the condition of being surprised.
2. Something, such as an unexpected encounter, event, or gift, that surprises.

Origin: Middle English surprisen, to overcome, from Old French surprise, feminine past participle of surprendre, to surprise : sur-, sur- + prendre, to take (from Latin prehendere, prēndere, to seize; see ghend- in Indo-European roots).

Related Forms:

• surpriser sur·prisˈer noun

• surprisingly sur·prisˈing·ly adverb