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   Sur·prise

   /sə(r)ˈprīz/

   

   noun

   • 1. an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing: "the announcement was a complete surprise" Similar shockbolt from/out of the bluethunderboltbombshellrevelationsource of amazementrude awakeningeye-openerinformal:startturn up for the booksshockerwhammy
   • ▪ a feeling of mild astonishment or shock caused by something unexpected: "much to her surprise, she'd missed him" Similar astonishmentamazementincredulitybewildermentstupefactionwonderconfusiondisbeliefconsternation
   • ▪ denoting something made, done, or happening unexpectedly: "a surprise attack"
   • 2. denoting a class of complex methods of change-ringing: "surprise major"

   verb

   • 1. (of something unexpected) cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock: "I was surprised at his statement" Similar astonishamazenonplusstartleastoundstunflabbergaststaggershockstop someone in their tracksstupefyleave open-mouthedtake someone's breath awaydumbfounddazebenumbconfoundtake abackjoltshake upinformal:bowl overknock for sixfloorblow someone's mindstrike dumb
   • ▪ capture, attack, or discover suddenly and unexpectedly; catch unawares: "he surprised a gang stealing scrap metal" Similar take by surprisecatch unawarescatch off guardcatch red-handedcatch in the actcatch nappingcatch outburst in oncatch someone with their trousers/pants downcatch in flagrante delictoinformal:catch on the hop

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘unexpected seizure of a place, or attack on troops’): from Old French, feminine past participle of surprendre, from medieval Latin superprehendere ‘seize’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

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