2 N‑VAR If you say that a particular conclusion is surmise , you mean that it is a guess based on the available evidence and you do not know for certain that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ It is mere surmise that Bosch had Brant's poem in mind when doing this painting. □ His surmise proved correct.
sur|mount /sə r maʊ nt/ (surmounts , surmounting , surmounted ) VERB If you surmount a problem or difficulty, you deal successfully with it. □ [V n] I realized I had to surmount the language barrier.
sur|name /sɜː r ne I m/ (surnames ) N‑COUNT Your surname is the name that you share with other members of your family. In English speaking countries and many other countries it is your last name. □ She'd never known his surname.
sur|pass /sə r pɑː s, -pæ s/ (surpasses , surpassing , surpassed )
1 VERB If one person or thing surpasses another, the first is better than, or has more of a particular quality than, the second. □ [V n] He was determined to surpass the achievements of his older brothers. □ [V -ed] Warwick Arts Centre is the second largest Arts Centre in Britain, surpassed in size only by London's Barbican.
2 VERB If something surpasses expectations, it is much better than it was expected to be. □ [V n] Conrad Black gave an excellent party that surpassed expectations.
sur|plice /sɜː r pl I s/ (surplices ) N‑COUNT A surplice is a loose white knee-length garment which is worn over a longer garment by priests and members of the choir in some churches. □ …the priest and choir in their lace surplices.
sur|plus ◆◇◇ /sɜː r pləs/ (surpluses )
1 N‑VAR If there is a surplus of something, there is more than is needed. □ [+ of ] Germany suffers from a surplus of teachers.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n, Also v-link ADJ to n] Surplus is used to describe something that is extra or that is more than is needed. □ Few people have large sums of surplus cash. □ The houses are being sold because they are surplus to requirements.
3 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] If a country has a trade surplus , it exports more than it imports. □ Japan's annual trade surplus is in the region of 100 billion dollars.
4 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] If a government has a budget surplus , it has spent less than it received in taxes. □ The Government also runs a modest budget surplus.
sur|prise ◆◆◇ /sə r pra I z/ (surprises , surprising , surprised )
1 N‑COUNT A surprise is an unexpected event, fact, or piece of news. □ I have a surprise for you: We are moving to Switzerland! □ [+ to ] It may come as a surprise to some that a child is born with many skills. □ It is perhaps no surprise to see another 80s singing star attempting a comeback. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Surprise is also an adjective. □ Baxter arrived here this afternoon, on a surprise visit.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Surprise is the feeling that you have when something unexpected happens. □ The Foreign Office in London has expressed surprise at these allegations. □ 'You mean he's going to vote against her?' Scobie asked in surprise. □ I started working hard for the first time in my life. To my surprise, I liked it.
3 VERB If something surprises you, it gives you a feeling of surprise. □ [V n] We'll solve the case ourselves and surprise everyone. □ [V n that] It surprised me that someone of her experience should make those mistakes. □ [V n if] It wouldn't surprise me if there was such chaos after this election that another had to be held. □ [V pron-refl] They were served lamb and she surprised herself by eating greedily.
4 VERB If you surprise someone, you give them, tell them, or do something pleasant that they are not expecting. □ [V n + with ] Surprise a new neighbour with one of your favourite home-made dishes. [Also V n]
5 N‑COUNT If you describe someone or something as a surprise , you mean that they are very good or pleasant although you were not expecting this. □ She was one of the surprises of the World Championships three months ago.
6 VERB If you surprise someone, you attack, capture, or find them when they are not expecting it. □ [V n] Marlborough surprised the French and Bavarian armies near the village of Blenheim.
7 → see also surprised , surprising
8 PHRASE If something takes you by surprise , it happens when you are not expecting it or when you are not prepared for it. □ His question took his two companions by surprise. COLLOCATIONS surprise NOUN
1
adjective + surprise : nasty, unpleasant, unwelcome; pleasant, wonderful; complete
verb + surprise : deliver, pull, spring
2
verb + surprise : express, feign, register
sur|prised ◆◇◇ /sə r pra I zd/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, ADJ that/how] If you are surprised at something, you have a feeling of surprise, because it is unexpected or unusual. □ [+ at/by ] This lady was genuinely surprised at what happened to her pet. □ Chang seemed surprised to find the big living-room empty.
2 → see also surprise SYNONYMS surprised ADJ
amazed: I was amazed to learn she was still writing her stories.
astonished: They were astonished to find the driver was a six-year-old boy.
startled: Martha gave her a startled look.
sur|pris|ing ◆◇◇ /sə r pra I z I ŋ/
1 ADJ Something that is surprising is unexpected or unusual and makes you feel surprised. □ It is not surprising that children learn to read at different rates. □ A surprising number of customers order the same sandwich every day. ● sur|pris|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ They did surprisingly well in the general election last year.