səˈpraɪz n. & v. --n. 1 an
unexpected or astonishing
event or
circumstance. 2
the emotion caused by
this. 3 the
act of
catching a
person etc.
unawares, or the process of
being caught unawares. 4 (attrib.) unexpected;
made or
done etc.
without warning (a surprise visit). --v.tr. 1 affect
with surprise;
turn out contrary to the expectations of (your
answer surprised
me; I surprised
her by arriving early). 2 (usu. in
passive; foll. by at) shock,
scandalize (I am surprised at you). 3
capture or
attack by surprise. 4
come upon (a person) unawares (surprised
him taking a biscuit). 5 (foll. by into)
startle (a person) by surprise
into an
action etc. (surprised
them into consenting). øtake by surprise affect with surprise,
esp. by an unexpected
encounter or
statement. øøsurprisedly adv. surprising adj. surprisingly adv. surprisingness n. [OF, fem.
past part. of surprendre (as
SUR-(1), prendre f. L praehendere seize)]