ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Surprisal

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /sə(ɹ)ˈpɹaɪzəl/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Surprisal is a noun meaning An information measure as equal in bits (binary digits) to the base-2 log of 1 over the probability, with the result that the number of choices equals 2ⁿ where n is the number of bits.

Meaning

An information measure as equal in bits (binary digits) to the base-2 log of 1 over the probability, with the result that the number of choices equals 2ⁿ where n is the number of bits.

More Meanings

  1. (obsolete, military) A surprise attack or ambush; a sudden or unexpected assault.
  2. (obsolete) A sudden coming-upon someone or something unexpectedly or unawares.
  3. (obsolete) A surprising event or occurrence.
  4. (obsolete) The feeling caused by being surprised; surprise, shock, amazement.

Example Sentences

How to secure the lady from surprisal
Because death is uncertain, let us prevent its surprisal.
Their chiefe attempts are by Stratagems, trecheries, or surprisals.

Word Forms

Synonyms for surprisal

Depending on context, synonyms include surprising, surprise.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include surprising, surprise, surprisement, sudden, alarm, countersurprise.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

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