Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SUR-PRISE, v.t. [surpri'ze ; Fr. from surprendre; sur and prendre, to take; It. sorpresa, sorprendere; Sp. sorpresa, sorprehender; L. super, supra, and prendo, to take.]

1. To come or fall upon suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares. The castle of Macduff I will surprise. – Shak. Who can speak / The mingled passions that surpris'd his heart? – Thomson.
2. To strike with wonder or astonishment by something sudden, unexpected or remarkable, either in conduct, words or story, or by the appearance of something unusual. Thus we are surprised at desperate acts of heroism, or at the narration of wonderful events, or at the sight of things of uncommon magnitude or curious structure.
3. To confuse; to throw the mind into disorder by something suddenly presented to the view or to the mind. Up he starts, discover'd and surpris'd. – Milton.