From  Surprise  "To C Recorded Meaning O.E L

Sur·prise
 \\sər-ˈprīz\\ geographical name
city S central Arizona W of Phoenix population 30,848

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sur·prise

I

 noun
also sur·prize  \\sə(r)-ˈprīz\\1.
  a. an attack made without warning
  b. a taking unawares
2. something that surprises
3. the state of being surprised : 

astonishment

II

verb
also surprize
(sur·prised also sur·prized ; sur·pris·ing also sur·priz·ing)transitive verb
1. to attack unexpectedly; also : to capture by an unexpected attack
2.
  a. to take unawares
      police surprised the burglars in the store
  b. to detect or elicit by a taking unawares
      sometimes surprised a tragic shadow in her eyes — Willa Cather
3. to strike with wonder or amazement especially because unexpected
    his conduct surprised me
intransitive verb
: to cause astonishment or surprise
    her success didn't surprise
• sur·pris·er noun
Synonyms.
  , , , ,  mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness.  stresses causing an effect through being unexpected but not necessarily unusual or novel
      surprised to find them at home
   implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible
      a discovery that astonished the world
   stresses the shock of astonishment
      too astounded to respond
   suggests an effect of bewilderment
      amazed by the immense size of the place
   may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay
      flabbergasted by his angry refusal

surprise
  surprise (n.)
  mid-15c., "unexpected attack or capture," from M.Fr. surprise "a taking unawares," from noun use of pp. of O.Fr. surprendre "to overtake," from sur- "over" + prendre "to take," from L. prendere, contracted from prehendere "to grasp, seize" (see prehensile). Meaning "something unexpected" first recorded 1590s, that of "feeling caused by something unexpected" is c.1600. Meaning "fancy dish" is attested from 1708. 
  "A Surprize is ... a dish ... which promising little from its first appearance, when open abounds with all sorts of variety." [W. King, "Cookery," 1708]   
  The verb is from late 15c. Surprise party originally was a military detachment (1841); festive sense is attested from 1858. Related: Surprising; surprisingly. surprised
  1610s, "attacked unexpectedly," pp. adj. from surprise. Meaning "excited by something unexpected" is from 1882. surreal
  1936, back formation from surrealism. surrealism
  1927, from Fr. surréalisme (from sur- "beyond" + réalisme "realism"), coined c.1917 by Guillaume Apollinaire, taken over by Andre Breton as the name of the movement he launched in 1924 with "Manifeste de Surréalisme." Taken up in English at first in the French form; the Anglicized version is from 1931. "De cette alliance nouvelle, car jusqu'ici les décors et les costumes d'une part, la chorégraphie d'autre part, n'avaient entre eux qu'un lien factice, il este résulté, dans 'Parade,' une sorte de surréalisme." [Apollinaire, "Notes to 'Parade' "] surrender
  1441, "to give (something) up," from O.Fr. surrendre "give up, deliver over" (13c.), from sur- "over" + rendre "give back" (see render). Reflexive sense of "to give oneself up" (especially as a prisoner) is from 1585. The noun is recorded from 1487. surreptitious
  mid-15c., from L. surrepticius "stolen, furtive, clandestine," from surreptus, pp. of surripere "seize secretly," from sub "from under" (hence, "secretly") + rapere "to snatch" (see rapid). Related: Surreptitiously. surrey
  "two-seated, four-wheeled pleasure carriage," 1895, from Surrey cart, an English pleasure cart (introduced in U.S. 1872), named for Surrey, England, where it was first made. The place name is O.E. suþrige (722), lit. "Southerly District" (relative to Middlesex). surrogate
  1430, from L. surrogatus, pp. of surrogare "put in another's place, substitute," from sub "in the place of, under" + rogare "to ask, propose" (see rogation). Meaning "woman pregnant with the fertilized egg of another woman" is attested from 1978. surround
  1423, "to flood, overflow," from M.Fr. soronder "to overflow, abound, surpass, dominate," from L.L. superundare "overflow," from L. super "over" (see super-) + undare "to flow in waves," from unda "wave" (see water; and cf. abound). Sense of "to shut in on all sides" first recorded 1616, influenced by figurative meaning in Fr. of "dominate," and by sound association with round. First record of surroundings in sense of "environment" is from 1861. surtax
  "extra tax," 1881, from Fr. surtaxe, from O.Fr. sur- "over" + taxe "tax" (see tax). surveillance
  1802, from Fr. surveillance "oversight, supervision, a watch," noun of action from surveiller "oversee, watch," from sur- "over" + veiller "to watch," from L. vigilare, from vigil "watchful" (see vigil). Seemingly a word of the Terror in France. A hideous back-formation, surveille (v.), was coined in 1960 in U.S. government jargon. Pray that it dies. survey
  survey (v.) late 14c. (implied in surveyance), from O.Fr. surveeir, from M.L. supervidere "oversee" (see supervise). Meaning "to take linear measurements of a tract of ground" is recorded from 1550. The noun is attested from 1548, "act of viewing in detail." Meaning "systematic collection of data on opinions, etc." is attested from 1927. Surveyor is from Anglo-Fr. surveiour, from M.Fr. surveor, from O.Fr. verb surveeir. survive
  1473, originally in the legal (inheritance) sense, from Anglo-Fr. survivre, from O.Fr. souvivre, from L. supervivere "live beyond, live longer than," from super "over, beyond" (see super-) + vivere "to live" (see vivid). Survival is attested from 1598; phrase survival of the fittest was used by Spencer in place of Darwin's natural selection. Survivable "capable of being survived" is attested from 1961. Survivalist "one who practices outdoor survival skills" (often in anticipation of apocalypse or in fear of the government) is recorded from 1985. survivor
  1504, in the legal sense of "one who outlives another," from survive. Meaning "one who has a knack for pulling through adversity" is attested from 1971. Survivor syndrome is first recorded 1968. Susanna
  fem. proper name, from L. Susanna, from Gk. Sousana, from Heb. Shoshannah, lit. "a lily." One of the women that attended Jesus in his journeys. susceptible
  1605 (susceptive in the same sense is recorded from 1548), from L.L. susceptibilis "capable, sustainable, susceptible," from L. susceptus, pp. of suscipere "sustain, support, acknowledge," from sub "up from under" + capere "to take" (see capable). suspect
  suspect (adj.)
  mid-14c., from O.Fr. suspect "suspicious," from L. suspectus "suspected, suspicious," pp. of suspicere "look up at, mistrust, suspect," from sub "up to" + specere "to look at" (see scope (1)). The notion is of "look at secretly," hence, "look at distrustfully." The verb is attested from late 15c.; the noun meaning "a suspected person" is first recorded 1590s. suspend
  late 13c., "to bar or exclude temporarily from some function or privilege, to cause to cease for a time," from O.Fr. suspendre, from L. suspendere "to hang, stop," from sub "up from under" + pendere "cause to hang, weigh" (see pendant). The lit. sense of "to cause to hang by a support from above" is recorded from mid-15c. Suspenders is attested from 1810, Amer.Eng. Suspended animation first recorded 1795. suspense
  1402, "not being executed, unfulfilled" (of legal matters), from Anglo-Fr. suspens (in en suspens "in abeyance," 1306), from O.Fr. suspens "act of suspending," from L. suspensus, pp. of suspendere (see suspend). Meaning "state of mental uncertainty" (1440) is from legal meaning of "not rendered, not paid, not carried out" (e.g. suspended sentence). As a genre of novels, stories, etc., attested from 1952. suspension
  1421, "temporary halting or deprivation," from L. suspensionem (nom. suspensio) "the act or state of hanging up, a vaulting," from pp. stem of suspendere "to hang" (see suspend).
  "A semblance of truth sufficient to procure for these shadows of imagination that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith." [Coleridge, "Biographia Literaria," 1817]
  Meaning "action of hanging by a support from above" is attested from 1546. Suspension bridge first recorded 1821. suspicion
  late 13c., from Anglo-Fr. suspecioun, from O.Fr. suspeçun, sospeçon "mistrust, suspicion" (Fr. soupçon), from L. suspectionem (nom. suspectio) "mistrust, suspicion, fear, awe," from pp. stem of suspicere "look up at" (see suspect). Spelling in English influenced 14c. by learned O.Fr. forms closer to Latin suspicionem. suspicious
  "deserving of or exciting suspicion," mid-14c., from O.Fr. suspecious, from L. suspiciosus "exciting suspicion" (see suspicion). Meaning "full of or inclined to feel suspicion" is attested from c.1400. Edgar Allan Poe (c.1845) proposed suspectful to take one of the two conflicting senses. suspire
  1450, from L. suspirare "to draw a deep breath, sigh," from sub "under" + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit). suss
  suss (v.) "to figure out, investigate and discover," 1966, earlier "to suspect" (1953, police jargon), a slang shortening of suspect (v.). sustain
  late 13c., from O.Fr. sustenir "hold up, endure," from L. sustinere "hold up, support, endure," from sub "up from below" + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). sustainable
  1610s, "bearable," from sustain + -able. Attested from 1845 in the sense "defensible;" from 1965 with the meaning "capable of being continued at a certain level."Sustainable growth is recorded from 1965. Related: Sustainability (1972). sustenance
  c.1300, "means of living, subsistence, livelihood," from O.Fr. sustenance (Fr. soutenance), from L.L. sustinentia "endurance," from L. sustinens, prp. of sustinere (see sustain). Meaning "action of sustaining life by food" is from late 14c. Sense of "nourishment" is recorded from c.1489. susurration
  "whisper, murmur," c.1400, from L. susurrationem (nom. susurratio), from pp. of susurrare, from susurrus "murmur, whisper," a reduplication of the PIE imitative base *swer- (cf. Skt. svarati "sounds, resounds," Gk. syrinx "flute," L. surdus "dull, mute," O.C.S. svirati "to whistle," Lith. surmo "pipe, shawm," Ger. schwirren "to buzz," O.E. swearm "swarm"). sutler
  "person who follows an army to sell food to soldiers," 1590, from M.Du. soeteler "small tradesman, sutler, camp cook" (Du. zoetelaar), cognate with M.L.G. suteler, sudeler "person who performs dirty tasks," M.H.G. sudelen "to cook badly," M.Du. soetelen "to cook badly." Probably related to Du. zieder, Ger. sieden "to seethe" (see seethe). Sutra
  "series of aphorisms," 1801, from Skt. sutram "rule," lit. "string, thread" (as a measure of straightness), from sivyati "sew;" cognate with L. suere "to sew" (see sew). Applied to rules of grammar, law, philosophy, etc., along with their commentaries. suttee
  "self-cremation of a Hindu widow on her husband's funeral pyre," 1786, from Hindi, from Skt. sati "virtuous woman," fem. of sat "good, wise," lit. "existing," prp. of asmi "I am" (cognate with L. esse; see essence). Properly, the word for the woman who does so. The custom was abolished in British India in 1829. suture
  1541, "surgical stitching of a wound, etc.," from L. sutura "a seam, a sewing together," from sutus, pp. of suere "to sew" (see sew). The verb is recorded from 1777. suzerain
  "sovereign, ruler," c.1470 (implied in suzerainty), from O.Fr. sus "up, above" (from V.L. susum, from L. sursum "upward, above," contraction of subversum, from sub "up from below") + vertere "a turning" (see versus). With ending from sovereign. svelte
  "slender, lithe," c.1817, from Fr. svelte "slim, slender," from It. svelto "slim, slender," originally "pulled out, lengthened," from pp. of svellere "to pluck or root out," from V.L. *exvellere, from L. ex- "out" + vellere "to pluck, stretch." Svengali
  "one who exerts controlling or mesmeric influence on another," 1914, from hypnotist character of that name in the novel "Trilby" (1894) by George Du Maurier. swab
  1659, "mop made of rope or yarn," from swabber (1607) "mop for cleaning a ship's deck," from Du. zwabber, akin to W.Fris. swabber "mop," from P.Gmc. *swab-, perhaps of imitative origin. Non-nautical meaning "anything used for mopping up" is from 1787. The verb is first recorded 1719, possibly from the noun. Slang meaning "a sailor" first attested 1798, from swabber "member of a ship's crew assigned to swab decks" (1591), which by 1609 was being used in a broader sense of "one who behaves like a low-ranking sailor." Swabian
  1785, from M.L. Suabia, from Ger. Schwaben, from O.H.G. swaba, name of a Gmc. tribe, related to L. Suevus, "pertaining to the Suevi," a tribe in northeastern Germania. swaddle
  c.1300, probably a frequentative form of O.E. swaþian (see swathe). Phrase swaddling clothes is from Coverdale (1535) translation of Luke ii:7. swag
  swag (v.) "to move heavily or unsteadily," 1530, probably from O.N. sveggja "to swing, sway," cognate with O.E. swingan "to swing" (see swing). The noun sense of "ornamental festoon" is first found 1794. Earlier senses of "bulky bag" (c.1300) and "big, blustering fellow" (1588) may represent separate borrowings from the Scand. source. swagger
  1590, first recorded in Shakespeare ("Midsummer Night's Dream," III.i.79), probably a frequentative form of swag (v.). The noun is attested from 1725. Swahili
  name of a Bantu people inhabiting the coast of South Africa, 1814, from Arabic sawahil, plural of sahil "coast" + gentilic suffix -i. swain
  c.1150, "young man attendant upon a knight," from O.N. sveinn "boy, servant, attendant," from P.Gmc. *swainaz "attendant, servant," prop. one's own (man),” from PIE *swoi-no-, from base *swe- "oneself, alone, apart" (see idiom). Cognate with O.E. swan "shepherd, swineherd," O.S. swen, O.H.G. swein. Meaning "country or farm laborer" is from 1579; that of "lover, wooer" (in pastoral poetry) is from 1585. SWAK
  acronym for sealed with a kiss, attested from 1918; first ref. is to soldiers' letters home in World War I. swale
  "low, hollow place, often boggy," 1584, special use of Scottish swaill "low, hollow place," or dialectal East Anglian swale "shady place" (c.1440); both probably from O.N. svalr "cool," from P.Gmc. *swalaz. swallow
 1.
  swallow (v.) "take in through the throat," O.E. swelgan (class III strong verb; past tense swealg, pp. swolgen), from P.Gmc. *swelkh-/*swelg- (cf. O.S. farswelgan, O.N. svelgja "to swallow," M.Du. swelghen, Du. zwelgen "to gulp, swallow," O.H.G. swelahan "to swallow," Ger. schwelgan "to revel"). Connections outside Gmc. uncertain. Sense of "consume, destroy" is attested from c.1340. Cognate with O.N. svelgr "whirlpool," lit. "devourer, swallower." Meaning "to accept without question" is from 1591. The noun meaning "an act of swallowing" is recorded from 1822.
 2.
  swallow (n.) "migratory bird" (family Hirundinidae), O.E. swealwe, from P.Gmc. *swalwon (cf. O.S., O.N., O.Fris., Swed. svala, Dan. svale, M.Du. zwalewe, Du. zwaluw, O.H.G. swalawa, Ger. Schwalbe), from PIE *swol-wi- (cf. Rus. solowej, Slovak slavik, Pol. slowik "nightinggale"). The etymological sense is disputed. Popularly regarded as a harbinger of summer; swallows building nests on or near a house is considered good luck. First record of swallow-tail is 1545, of a type of arrowhead; of a type of coat, 1835. swami
  1773, " an idol," later, "religious teacher" (1901), from Hindi swami "master" (used as a term of address to a Brahmin), from Skt. svami (gen. svaminas) "lord, master," from sva-s "one's own" (cognate with L. sui; see idiom) + amah "pressure, vehemence." swamp
  1624 (first used by Capt. John Smith, in reference to Virginia), perhaps a dial. survival from an O.E. cognate of O.N. svoppr "sponge, fungus," from P.Gmc. *swampuz; but traditionally connected with M.E. sompe "morass, swamp," probably from M.Du. somp or M.L.G. sump "swamp." Related to O.N. svöppr "sponge." The verb sense of "overwhelm, sink (as if in a swamp)" is first recorded 1772; fig. sense is from 1818. Swamp Yankee "rural, rustic New Englander" is attested from 1941. swan
  O.E. swan, from P.Gmc. *swanaz (cf. O.S. swan, O.N. svanr, M.Du. swane, Du. zwaan, O.H.G. swan, Ger. Schwan), probably lit. "the singing bird," from PIE base *swon-/*swen- "to sing, make sound" (see sound (n.1)); thus related to O.E. geswin "melody, song" and swinsian "to make melody." In classical mythology, sacred to Apollo and to Venus. The singing of swans before death was alluded to by Chaucer (late 14c.), but swan-song (1831) is a translation of Ger. Schwanengesang. A black swan was proverbial for "something extremely rare or non-existent" (late 14c.), after Juvenal ["Sat." vi. 164]. Swan dive is recorded from 1898. swank
  1809, "to strut" (swanky, n., "attractive young fellow" is recorded from 1508), perhaps related to M.H.G. swanken "to sway, totter," and O.H.G. swingan "to swing." Said to have been a Midlands and southwestern England dialectal word. The noun meaning "ostentatious behavior" is recorded from 1854; adj. sense of "stylish, classy, posh" is from 1913. Swanky is attested from 1842. swap
  c.1300, "to strike, strike the hands together," possibly imitative of the sound of hitting. The sense of "exchange, barter, trade" is first recorded 1594, possibly from the practice of slapping hands together as a sign of agreement in bargaining. The noun in this sense is attested from 1625. sward
  "grass-covered ground," O.E. sweard "skin, rind" (of bacon, etc.), from P.Gmc. *swarthu- (cf. O.Fris. swarde "skin of the head," M.Du. swarde "rind of bacon," Ger. Schwarte "thick, hard skin, rind," O.N. svörðr "walrus hide"). Meaning "sod, turf" developed c.1300, on notion of the "skin" of the earth (cf. O.N. grassvörðr, Dan. grønsvær "greensward"). swarm
 1.
  swarm (n.) "cloud of bees or other insects," O.E. swearm, from P.Gmc. *swarmaz (cf. O.S., M.L.G. swarm, Swed. svärm, M.Du. swerm, O.H.G. swarm, Ger. Schwarm "swarm;" O.N. svarmr "tumult"), usually derived from PIE imitative base *swer- (see susurration) on notion of humming sound. But OED suggests possible connection with base of swerve and ground sense of "agitated, confused, or deflected motion." The verb meaning "to leave a hive to start another" is first recorded c.1380, from the noun.
 2.
  swarm (v.) "to climb by clasping with the arms and legs alternately," 1550, perhaps originally a sailors' word, of uncertain origin. Also recorded as swarve (16c.) and in Northern dialects swarble, swarmle. swart
  O.E. sweart "black," from P.Gmc. *swartaz (cf. O.Fris., M.Du. swart, O.N. svartr, Ger. schwarz, Goth. swarts "dark-colored, black"), from PIE base *swordo- "dirty, dark, black" (source of sordid). The true Gmc. word for "black," surviving in the Continental languages. swarthy
  1581, unexplained alteration of swarty (1572), from swart. swash
  1538, "the fall of a heavy body or blow," possibly from wash with an intensifying s-. It also meant "pig-wash, filth, wet refuse" (1528) and may have been imitative of the sound of water dashing against solid objects. The meaning "a body of splashing water" is first found 1671; that of "a dashing or splashing" 1847. swashbuckler
  1560, "blustering, swaggering fighting man" (earlier simply swash, 1549), from swash "fall of a blow" (see swash) + buckler "shield." The original sense seems to have been "one who makes menacing noises by striking his or an opponent's shield." Swashbuckling (adj.) is attested from 1693. swastika
  Greek cross with arms bent at right angles, 1871 (later specifically as emblem of the Nazi party, 1932), from Skt. svastika-s, lit. "being fortunate," from svasti-s "well-being, luck," from su- "well" + as-, root of asti "(he) is," from root of L. esse "to be" (see essence). Also known as gammadion and fylfot. Originally an ancient cosmic or religious symbol thought to bring good luck. Use in reference to the Nazi emblem first recorded in Eng. in 1932. The Ger. word was Hakenkreuz, lit. "hook-cross." S.W.A.T.
  1968, acronym for Special Weapons and Tactics squad or team; or Special Weapons Attack Team. swat
  swat (v.) 1796, Amer.Eng. and northern England dialect word, possibly an alteration of M.E. swap "to strike, smite" (see swap), ultimately of imitative origin. The noun is recorded from 1800. Swatter "instrument for swatting flies" is recorded from 1917. swatch
  1512, "the countercheck of a tally" (Northumberland dialect), later "a tally attached to cloth sent to be dyed" (1612, in Yorkshire), of unknown origin. Meaning "a sample piece of cloth" is from 1647. swath
  O.E. swæð, swaðu "track, trace, band," from P.Gmc. *swathan, *swatho (cf. O.Fris. swethe "boundary made by a scythe," M.Du. swade, Ger. Schwad "a row of cut grass"); ulterior connections uncertain. Meaning "space covered by the single cut of a scythe" emerged c.1475, and that of "strip, lengthwise extent" is from c.1605. swathe
  O.E. swaþian "to swathe," from swaðu "track, trace, band" (see swath). The noun meaning "infant's swaddling bands" was found in O.E. as swaþum (dative plural). sway
  c.1300, "to go, glide, move," probably from O.N. sveigja "to bend, swing, give way," from P.Gmc. *swaigijanan and related to swag (v.) and swing. The sense of "swing, wave, waver" is first recorded c.1500. The noun meaning "controlling influence" (to be under the sway of) is 1510, from a transitive sense of the verb in Du. and other languages. The verb in this sense is recorded in Eng. from 1593. swear
  O.E. swerian "take an oath" (class VI strong verb; past tense swor, pp. sworen), from P.Gmc. *swarjanan, from root *swar- (cf. O.S. swerian, O.N. sverja, Dan. sverge, O.Fris. swera, M.Du. swaren, O.H.G. swerien, Ger. schwören, Goth. swaren "to swear"), from PIE base *swer- "to speak, say" (cf. O.C.S. svara "quarrel"). Also related to the second element in answer. The secondary sense of "use bad language" (c.1430) developed from the notion of "invoke sacred names." Swear-word is Amer.Eng. colloquial from 1883. Swear off "desist as with a vow" is from 1898. sweat
  sweat (v.) O.E. swætan "perspire, work hard." The noun is from O.E. swat "sweat" (which became M.E. swote, but altered under the influence of the verb), from P.Gmc. *swaita (cf. O.S., O.Fris. swet, O.N. sveiti, Dan. sved "sweat," Swed. svett, M.Du. sweet, Du. zweet, O.H.G. sweiz, Ger. Schweiß), from PIE *sweid-/*swoid- (cf. Skt. svedah "sweat," Avestan xvaeda- "sweat," Gk. hidros "sweat, perspiration," L. sudor, Lett. swiedri, Welsh chwys "sweat"). Meaning "to be worried, vexed" is recorded from c.1400. Sweatshirt first recorded 1929; sweatpants is from 1957. Sweat equity is from 1968. sweater
  "woolen vest or jersey, originally worn in rowing," 1882, from earlier sweaters "clothing worn to produce sweating and reduce weight" (1828), from sweat (v.). As a fashion garment, attested from 1925. Sweater girl is attested from 1940; Lana Turner (1920-95) was the first, from her appearance in the film "They Won't Forget" (1937). Swed.
  Swedish, North Germanic language spoken in Sweden. Swede
  1614, from Low Ger., from M.L.G. Swede, back-formed from a source akin to O.E. Sweoðeod, lit. "Swede-people," from Sweon (pl.) "Swedes" (O.N., O.Swed. Sviar, L. Suiones). Sweden (1603) is from M.Du. Sweden, probably a dat. pl. of Swede (earlier in Eng. Sweden was used of the people and Swedeland of the country). In O.E., the country was Sweoland or Sweorice (cf. O.N. sviariki, source of Swed. Sverige). The present Eng. form of the country name emerged 16c. in Scot. (Swethin, Swadne, etc.). Swedish is recorded from 1632. Swedenborgian
  1791, for Emanuel Svedberg, Swedish mystic and religious philosopher (1668-1772). His followers organized 1788 as The New Church. sweep
  sweep (v.) c.1300, perhaps from a past tense form of M.E. swope "sweep," from O.E. swapan "to sweep" (transitive & intransitive); see swoop. The noun meaning "range, extent" is attested from 1679; in ref. to police or military actions, it is attested from 1837. Sense of "a winning of all the tricks in a card game" is from 1814 (see sweepstakes); extended to other sports by 1960. As a shortened form ofchimney-sweeper, first attested 1812. sweepstakes
  "prize won in a race or contest," 1773, from M.E. swepestake "one who sweeps or wins all the stakes in a game" (1495, as the name of one of the King's ships), from swepen "sweep" + stake (v). sweet
 1.
  sweet (adj.) O.E. swete "pleasing to the senses, mind or feelings," from P.Gmc. *swotijaz (cf. O.S. swoti, Swed. söt, Dan. sød, M.Du. soete, Du. zoet, O.H.G. swuozi, Ger. süß), from PIE base *swad- (Skt. svadus "sweet;" Gk. hedys "sweet, pleasant, agreeable," hedone "pleasure;" L. suavis "sweet," suadere "to advise," prop. "to make something pleasant to"). Sweetbread "pancreas used as food" is from 1565 (the -bread element may be from O.E. bræd "flesh"). To be sweet on someone is first recorded 1694. Sweet-talk (v.) dates from 1936 (in "Gone With the Wind"). Sweet sixteen first recorded 1826. Sweet dreams as a parting to one going to sleep is attested from 1908. Sweet and sour in cooking is from 1723, not originally of oriental food.
 2.
  sweet (n.) c.1300, "something sweet to the taste," also "beloved one," from sweet (adj.); the meaning "candy drop" is 1851 (earlier sweetie, 1721). Sweet Adeline
  "female barbershop singing group," 1947, from the name of a popular close harmony song by Armstrong & Gerard, prop. "You're the Flower of my Heart, Sweet Adeline" (1903). sweeten
  1552, from sweet (adj.) + verbal ending -en. The M.E. form of the verb was simply sweet, from O.E. swetan. sweetheart
  late 13c. as a form of address, 1570s as a synonym for "loved one;" from sweet (adj.) + heart. As an adj., with ref. to labor contracts, it is attested from 1959. sweet tooth
  "fondness for sugary stuff," 1390, from sweet (adj.) + tooth in the sense of "taste, liking" (see toothsome under tooth). swell
 1.
  swell (v.) O.E. swellan "grow or make bigger" (past tense sweall, pp. swollen), from P.Gmc. *swelnanan (cf. O.S. swellan, O.N. svella, O.Fris. swella, M.Du. swellen, Du. zwellen, O.H.G. swellan, Ger. schwellen), of unknown origin.
 2.
  swell (n.) early 13c., "a morbid swelling," from swell (v.). In ref. to a rise of the sea, it is attested from c.1600. The meaning "wealthy, elegant person" is first recorded 1786; hence the adj. meaning "fashionably dressed or equipped" (1810), both from the notion of "puffed-up, pompous" behavior. The sense of "good, excellent" first occurs 1897, and as a stand-alone expression of satisfaction it is recorded from 1930 in Amer.Eng. swelter
  c.1403, frequentative of swelten "be faint (especially with heat)," c.1386, from O.E. sweltan "to die," from P.Gmc. *swel- (cf. O.S. sweltan "to die," O.N. svelta "to put to death, starve," Goth. sviltan "to die"), originally "to burn slowly," hence "to be overcome with heat or fever;" also the source of O.E. swelan "to burn," from PIE base *swel- "to shine, burn" (see Selene). For specialization of words meaning "to die," cf. starve. swerve
  early 13c., "to depart, make off;" early 14c., "to turn aside, deviate from a straight course," probably from O.E. sweorfan "to rub, scour, file" (but sense development is difficult to trace), from P.Gmc. *swerbanan (cf O.N. sverfa "to scour, file," O.S. swebran "to wipe off"), from PIE base *swerbh-. Cognate words in other Germanic languages (cf. O.Fris. swerva "to creep," M.Du. swerven "to rove, stray") suggests the sense of "go off, turn aside" may have existed in O.E., though unrecorded. The noun is recorded from 1741. swift
  swift (adj.) O.E. swift "moving quickly," related to swifan "move in a course, sweep" (see swivel). The bird (several species of the family Cypselidæ, resembling swallows), noted for its "swift" flight, was so called from at least 1668. Regarded as a bird of ill-omen, if not downright demonic, probably for its shrill cry. The name earlier had been given to several small fast lizards (1530). swig
  1540s, "drink, liquor," later "big or hearty drink of liquor" (1620s), of unknown origin. The verb is first attested 1650s. swill
  swill (v.) O.E. swilian, swillan "to wash, gargle," with no certain cognates, but probably from P.Gmc. *sweljanan, related to the root of swallow (v.). Meaning "drink greedily" is from c.1530; the noun sense of "liquid kitchen refuse fed to pigs" is 1553, from the verb. swim
 1.
  swim (v.) O.E. swimman "to move in or on the water, float" (class III strong verb; past tense swamm, pp. swummen), from P.Gmc. *swemjanan (cf. O.S., O.H.G. swimman, O.N. svimma, Du. zwemmen, Ger. schwimmen), from PIE base *swem- "to be in motion," sometimes said to be restricted to Gmc., but possible cognates are Welsh chwyf "motion," O.Ir. do-sennaim "I hunt," Lith. sundyti "to chase." For the usual IE word, see natatorium. Sense of "reel or move unsteadily" first recorded 1678; of the head or brain, from 1702. Swimsuit first recorded 1934; swimming hole is from 1867; swimming pool is from 1899. Fig. phrase sink or swim is attested from c.1440, often with ref. to ordeals of suspected witches.
 2.
  swim (n.) 1547, "the clear part of any liquid" (above the sediment), from swim (v.). Meaning "part of a river or stream frequented by fish" (and hence fishermen) is from 1828, and is probably the source of the fig. meaning "the current of the latest affairs or events" (1869). swindler
  1774, from Ger. Schwindler "giddy person, extravagant speculator, cheat," from schwindeln "to be giddy, act extravagantly, swindle," from O.H.G. swintilon "be giddy," frequentative form of swintan "to languish, disappear;" cognate with O.E. swindan, and probably with swima "dizziness." Said to have been introduced in London by Ger. Jews c.1762. swindle is a back-formation attested from 1782 as a verb, 1833 as a noun. swine
  O.E. swin "pig, hog," from P.Gmc. *swinan (cf. O.S., O.Fris. M.L.G., O.H.G. swin, M.Du. swijn, Du. zwijn, Ger. Schwein), neut. adj. (with suffix *-ino-) from PIE *su- (see sow (n.)). The native word, largely ousted by pig. Applied to persons from c.1380. Swineherd is recorded from c.1100 as swynhyrde; swinish is from c.1200. Phrase pearls before swine is from Matt. vii.6; an early Eng. formation of it was: "Ne ge ne wurpen eowre meregrotu toforan eo wrum swynon." [c.1000]
   Which is a misreading of L. marguerite "daisy" as margarite "pearl."

☞ surprise
sur·prise / sE5praiz; NAmE sEr5p- /noun1. [C] an event, a piece of news, etc. that is unexpected or that happens suddenly
   意想不到(或突然)的事；令人惊奇的事(或消息等):
   What a nice surprise!
   真是让人惊喜！
   a surprise attack
   突然袭击
   There are few surprises in this year's budget.
   今年的预算案没有多少出人意料的地方。
   I have a surprise for you!
   我要告诉你一件你意想不到的事！
   It comes as no surprise to learn that they broke their promises.
   得知他们食言并不让人觉得意外。
   Her letter came as a complete surprise.
   万万没想到会收到她的信。
   There are lots of surprises in store for visitors to the gallery.
   参观画展的人将会发现许多令他们惊奇的东西。
   Visitors to the gallery are in for a few surprises.
   参观画展的人将会见到一些令他们惊奇的东西。
2. [U, C] ~ (at sth) ~ (at seeing, hearing, etc.) a feeling caused by sth happening suddenly or unexpectedly
   惊奇；惊讶；意外:
   a look of surprise
   惊讶的表情
   She looked up in surprise.
   她惊讶地抬起头。
   He gasped with surprise at her strength.
   发现她有这么大的力气,他大吃一惊。
   They couldn't conceal their surprise at seeing us together.
   看见我们在一起,他们表现出掩饰不住的诧异。
   I got a surprise when I saw the bill.
   一看账单我吃了一惊。
    Much to my surprise, I passed.
   压根儿没想到,我及格了。
    To everyone's surprise, the plan succeeded.
   出乎所有人的意料,那个计划竟然取得了成功。
   Imagine our surprise when he walked into the room!
   你想像一下,他走进房间时,我们多么惊奇！
3. [U] the use of methods that cause feelings of surprise
   出人意表的做事方式；出奇制胜的策略:
   A successful campaign should have an element of surprise.
   成功的宣传活动需有出奇制胜之处。
 IDIOMS 
▪ sur7prise, sur'prise
(informal)
1. (ironic, often disapproving) used to show that sth is not a surprise to you, as you could easily have predicted that it would happen or be true
   (认为不足为怪时说):
   One of the candidates was the manager's niece, and surprise, surprise, she got the job.
   求职者中有一个是经理的侄女,结果她被录用了——这有什么奇怪的呢。
2. used when giving sb a surprise
   (让某人感到意外时说)想不到吧:
   Surprise, surprise! Look who's here!
   想不到吧！看看这是谁！
▪ take sb / sth by sur'prise
   to attack or capture sb / sth unexpectedly or without warning
   突袭；出其不意地抓获:
   The police took the burglars by surprise.
   警方出其不意地逮捕了入室窃贼。
▪ take sb by sur'prise
   to happen unexpectedly so that sb is slightly shocked; to surprise sb
   使某人惊诧；出乎某人意料:
   His frankness took her by surprise.
   她没料到他竟如此坦率。verb1. to make sb feel surprised
   使惊奇；使诧异；使感到意外:
  ▪ [VN]
   It wouldn't surprise me if they got married soon.
   即使他们很快就结婚,我也不会感到意外。
  ▪ [VN wh-]
   It's always surprised me how popular he is.
   他怎么那么受欢迎,我百思不得其解。
  ▪ [VN that]
   It surprises me that you've never sung professionally.
   想不到你从来没搞过专业演唱。
  ▪ [VN to inf]
   Would it surprise you to know that I'm thinking of leaving?
   如果我告诉你我打算离开这里,你觉得意外吗？
2. [VN] to attack, discover, etc., sb suddenly and unexpectedly
   出其不意地攻击；使措手不及；无意中发现:
   The army attacked at night to surprise the rebels.
   军队在夜间发起攻击,把叛乱者打了个措手不及。
   We arrived home early and surprised a burglar trying to break in.
   我们回家早,无意中发现一个窃贼正要入室行窃。

surprise verb

sur·prise
I. noun
also sur·prize \-īz\
(-s)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: surprise from Middle English, from Middle French, from feminine of Old French surpris, past participle of surprendre to take over, from sur- + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to seize, grasp; surprize alteration (influenced by prize) (V) of surprise — more at 
1.
 a.
  (1) : the action of assailing unexpectedly or attacking without warning : the sudden attacking and capture of something (as a fort or body of troops) unprepared
   < a fortified camp … capable of resisting surprises — J.A.Froude >
  (2) : the action of coming upon unexpectedly or taking unawares — used especially in the phrase take by surprise
 b. : an instance of taking unawares
 c. obsolete : a sudden attack of illness or emotion
2.
 a. : something that surprises : an occasion for, a cause of, or a quality arousing astonishment : something (as an event) unexpected or astonishing
  < many of the psychologic surprises of the first flight are pleasant — H.G.Armstrong >
  < his development … was probably a surprise to himself — A.W.Long >
  < offering few intellectual surprises — Harry Levin >
 b. : a pie or other fancy dish with agreeably surprising contents
3. : the emotion excited by something sudden, unexpected, or contrary to expectation:
 a. archaic : terror, perplexity, or alarm caused by a sudden attack or calamity
  < pure surprise and fear made me to quit the house — Shakespeare >
 b. : , 
  < she never starts or shows surprise — Rose Macaulay >
  < the surprise which I felt on first learning of the award — E.C.Willatts >
  < gave a cry of delighted surprise — W.S.Maugham >
4. : the state of being mentally or emotionally surprised
 < in his surprise he dropped the book >
II. transitive verb
also surprize \“\
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: surprise from Middle French, from Old French, feminine of surpris, past participle of surprendre; surprize alteration (influenced by prize) (V) of surprise
1. obsolete
 a. : to take hold of : affect strongly and suddenly : 
  < all on a sudden miserable pain surpris'd thee — John Milton >
  < surprised with joy at the motion — Daniel Defoe >
 b. : to seize and hold in one's possession : , , 
  < power, like new wine, does your weak brain surprise — John Dryden >
2.
 a. : to attack unexpectedly and without warning : assail suddenly : make an unexpected assault upon
  < surprised the little garrison … and captured the arsenal — American Guide Series: Maryland >
  < at dawn the household was surprised by a sudden Indian attack — American Guide Series: New Hampshire >
 b.
  (1) : to take suddenly by storm : seize or capture by a sudden and unexpected attack
  (2) archaic : to take possession of by force : make captive : take prisoner : , 
3.
 a. : to take unawares (as in an act or by an unexpected visit) : come upon abruptly or without warning : catch in the act
  < police surprised the burglars leaving the store >
 b. : to bring out or to light by a sudden and unexpected action : detect, uncover, or elicit by taking (as a person) unawares
  < surprised the secret of his murderous past through a stolen letter — Henri Peyre >
  < sometimes surprised a tragic shadow in her eyes — Willa Cather >
4.
 a. obsolete : to ensnare or implicate by something (as a sudden disclosure or proposal) that takes one unawares
 b. : to lead, impel, drive, or cause to do something or bring into some state in a sudden and unexpected way : lead on or betray into something not intended
  < his debate … had surprised him into attacking the authority of the Pope — Stringfellow Barr >
  < surprised into an indiscretion >
5. : to strike with wonder or amazement because unexpected or different from what has been anticipated : affect with an emotion (as astonishment, awe, shock, or unexpected pleasure, disgust, or delight)
 < the morning skies … surprised her daily as if they were uncommon things — Rebecca West >
 < his conduct surprised me >
Synonyms:
 , , , :  may indicate coming upon another suddenly and with startling effect; it may apply to any unexpected or unanticipated development bringing a degree of wonder
  < the enemy was surprised — Infantry Journal >
  < apt not only to be interested but also to be surprised by the experience life was holding in store for him — Joseph Conrad >
   may indicate a surprising with the most unlikely, the unaccountable, or the incredible that virtually dazes one
  < in the fashion of the magician who astonishes twice, once with the trick and again with its secret — L.J.Halle >
  < a flight that will astonish the world — Francis Stuart >
   applies to the effect of what confounds, shocks, or stuns as unprecedented
  < the girl was astounded and alarmed by the altogether unknown expression in the woman's face — Joseph Conrad >
  < astounded his congregation by putting up for sale a mulatto slave girl — American Guide Series: New York City >
   suggests astonished bewilderment or perplexity
  < it amazed her that this soft little creature could be thus firm — George Meredith >
  < nothing amazes these people more than to see a man, apparently sane, meekly submitting to outrageous extortion — Norman Douglas >
   may suggest thorough astonishment and often bewilderment or dismay
  < his appointment flabbergasted those who knew his record >

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