[f. SURPRISE v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb SURPRISE.
1589. (title) The Protestatyon of Martin Marprelat. Wherin not with standing the surprizing of the printer, he maketh it known vnto the world that he feareth, neither proud priest,… nor godlesse catercap.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1638), 89. To take occasion for the surprising of the Christians.
1615. in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 168. Surprising and taking of forts.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. xvi. (Roxb.), 97/1. To hinder an enimyes surprizeing of a gate, or stop him in his passage.
1889. Athenæum, 20 April, 498/3. There were abductions and forced marriages, kidnappings and burnings, stratagems and surprisings, ‘alarums and excursions,’ in plenty.
