EDITED
Surprise (verb)
- Cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock.
- Capture, attack, or discover suddenly and unexpectedly. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/surprise
Astonhish (verb)
- Surprise or impress (someone) greatly http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/astonish ("off-topic". To me, it is surprising that the same dictionary should use "surprise" to explain "astonish", and vice-versa.)
In the following passage, from an old issue of The English Teaching Journal, "surprised" and "astonished" are said to have a difference in meaning, other than the intensity of the feeling.
The university professor slipped his arm round the waist of the housemaid just as his wife entered the room. "Really, George", she exclaimed, "I'm surprised at you!" "To the contrary, my dear," he replied, "it is we who are surprised. You are astonished."
This was published about forty-five years ago, even though the anecdote seems to antedate it by over a century, as referenced by @Erik Kowal in his comment below. In addition, I've been told such use of "surprise" is outdated. All this said, here is my question: Is this use of "surprise" (catching somebody "red-handed") still current usage?