Definition of "surprise attack" []

• An attack without warning (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "After surveying the British positions, Washington had resolved on a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton, where 1,500 men were stationed under Colonel Johann Rahl."
• "Then, on September 29, Grant delivered a surprise attack against Fort Harrison, below Chafin's Bluff on the James."
• "Ice, however, prevented him from dropping down Delaware Bay, and so instead having been given great latitude in his operations he decided to make a surprise attack on New Providence in the Bahamas and capture gunpowder and arms."