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.