1. To encounter suddenly or unexpectedly; to take or to catch unawares: Shirley's little boy was surprised when she caught him taking cookies from a container without her permission.
2. To cause people to feel wonder, astonishment, or amazement, as at something not anticipated or expected: David was surprised when he received a birthday call from a neighbor who had moved away years ago.
3. Etymology: "unexpected attack" or "capture", from Middle French surprise, "taking unawares" from the noun use of Old French surprendre, "to overtake"; from sur-, "over" + prendre, "to take"; from Latin prendere, contracted from prehendere "to grasp, to seize".