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.
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.