sorprendere

First attested in the 13th century.^[1] From sor- +‎ prendere, possibly on the calque of Old French sorprendre.

• IPA^(key): /sorˈprɛn.de.re/
• Rhymes: -ɛndere
• Hyphenation: sor‧prèn‧de‧re

• Audio:

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sorprèndere (first-person singular present sorprèndo, first-person singular past historic sorprési, past participle sorpréso, auxiliary avére) (transitive)

1. to surprise, to catch unaware

   Synonyms: trovare, cogliere

2. to surprise, to astonish, to amaze

   Synonyms: meravigliare, stupire

3. (literary) to leave an impression on

   Synonym: fare presa

   • 1968 [c. 1260–61], Brunetto Latini, edited by Francesco Maggini, Rettorica, Le Monnier, page 168, line 1:

     così va dintorno con molte parole per sorprendere l'animo dell'uditore sì che sia benevolo o docile o intento

     this way he goes around with many words to leave an impression on the spirit of the listener as to make it benevolent, docile or attentive