Sud"den (?), a. [OE. sodian, sodein, OF. sodain, sudain, F. soudain, L. subitaneus, fr. subitus sudden, that has come unexpectedly, p.p. of subire to come on, to steal upon; sub under, secretly + ire to go. See Issue, and cf. Subitaneous.]

1.

Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.

"O sudden wo!" Chaucer. "For fear of sudden death." Shak.

Sudden fear troubleth thee. Job xxii. 10.

2.

Hastly prepared or employed; quick; rapid.

Never was such a sudden scholar made. Shak.

The apples of Asphaltis, appearing goodly to the sudden eye. Milton.

3.

Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate.

[Obs.]

Shak.

Syn. -- Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.

-- Sud"den*ly, adv. -- Sud"den*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.


Sud"den, adv.

Suddenly; unexpectedly.

[R.]

Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.


Sud"den, n.

An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.

All of a sudden, On a sudden, Of a sudden, sooner than was expected; without the usual preparation; suddenly.

How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost! Milton.

He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden. Thackeray.

 

© Webster 1913.

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