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.
Sud"den , adv. Suddenly;
unexpectedly. [R.]
Herbs of every leaf
that sudden
flowered.
Milton.
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.
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