Definitions for: Sudden

[adj] happening without warning or in a short space of time; "a sudden storm"; "a sudden decision"; "a sudden cure"

Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Synonyms: abrupt, explosive, fulminant, sharp, unexpected, unforeseen

Antonyms: gradual

See Also: fast

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