Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sudden
Sud′den
,Adj.
[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. Shakespeare
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
, Noun.
Sud′den
,adv.
Suddenly; unexpectedly.
[R.]
Herbs of every leaf that
sudden
flowered. Milton.
Sud′den
,Noun.
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 1828 Edition
Sudden
SUD'DEN
,Adj.
1.
Happening without previous notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparatives. And sudden fear troubleth thee. Job.22.
For when they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. 1 Thess.5.
2.
Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate; passionate. [Not in use.]SUD'DEN
,Noun.
On a sudden, sooner than was expected; without the usual preparatives.
How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost!
[Of a sudden, is not usual, and is less elegant.]