'Surprise party' definitions:

Definition of 'Surprise party'

From: GCIDE
  • Surprise \Sur*prise"\, n. [F. surprise, fr. surprendre, surpris; sur over + prendre to take, L. prehendere. See Sur-, and Prehensile.]
  • 1. The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment. [1913 Webster]
  • Pure surprise and fear Made me to quit the house. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Anything that causes such a state or emotion. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents. [Obs.] --King. [1913 Webster]
  • Surprise party, a party of persons who assemble by mutual agreement, and without invitation, at the house of a common friend. [U.S.] --Bartlett. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Wonder; astonishment; amazement. [1913 Webster]