Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sudden?

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