Collins English-English Dictionary

surprise [sə'praɪz]

1. 1. vt. [tr] to cause to feel amazement or wonder

2. 2. vt. to encounter or discover unexpectedly or suddenly

3. 3. vt. to capture or assault suddenly and without warning

4. 4. vt. to present with something unexpected, such as a gift

5. 5. vt. [foll by into] to provoke (someone) to unintended action by a trick, etc

   to surprise a person into an indiscretion

6. 6. vt. [often foll by from] to elicit by unexpected behaviour or by a trick

   to surprise information from a prisoner

7. 7. n the act or an instance of surprising; the act of taking unawares

8. 8. n a sudden or unexpected event, gift, etc

9. 9. n the feeling or condition of being surprised; astonishment

10. 10. n [modifier] causing, characterized by, or relying upon surprise

    a surprise move

11. 11. n [Etymology] C15: from Old French, from surprendre to overtake, from sur-¹ + prendre from Latin prehendere to grasp; see prehensile