Webster's English Dictionary

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surprise

1. sur.prise \s*(r)-'pri-z\ n [ME, fr. MF, fr. surprendre to take over, 
   surprise, fr. sur- + p]rendre to take - more at PRIZE 1a: an attack made 
   without warning  1b: a taking unawares  2: something that surprises  3: the 
   state of being surprised : ASTONISHMENT 
2. surprise also sur.prize vt 1: to attack unexpectedly; also : to capture 
   by an unexpected atta ck 2a: to take unawares  2b: to detect or elicit by a 
   taking unawares  3: to strike with wonder or amazement because unexpected 
   ERGAST mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. SURPRISE differs 
   from the other words in applying specifically to events causing an effect 
   by taking unawares rather than by being essentially startling in quality; 
   ASTONISH implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible; ASTOUND 
   stresses the shock of astonishment; AMAZE suggests an effect of 
   bewilderment; FLABBERGAST stresses an astounding and dumbfounding - 
   sur.pris.er n SYN syn SURPRISE, ASTONISH, ASTOUND, AMAZE, FLABB