Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Sudden"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Sudden \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Sudden \Sud"den\, adv.
Suddenly; unexpectedly. [R.]

Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered. --Milton.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

sudden
adj : happening without warning or in a short space of time; "a
sudden storm"; "a sudden decision"; "a sudden cure"
[ant: {gradual}]

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