I. ˈsəd ə n adjective
Etymology: Middle English sodain, sodein, from Middle French sodain, sudain, from Latin subitaneus, from subitus sudden, unexpected, from past participle of subire to come up, occur unexpectedly, from sub- up + ire to go — more at sub- , issue
1.
a. : happening without previous notice or with very brief notice : coming or occurring unexpectedly : not foreseen or prepared for
caught out walking by a sudden thundershower
took a sudden almost miraculous turn for the better
b. : changing angle or character all at once : precipitous
slopes gradually downwards toward the sudden drop of the icefall — John Hunt and Edmund Hillary
: abrupt
this ridge forms an important and sudden break between the land of abundant ground water … and the dry land — P.E.James
c. : come upon or met with unexpectedly
watching for sudden turns in the road
2.
a. : characterized by or manifesting hastiness : rash , headlong
a red setter … too sudden to be a friend — May Sarton
b. obsolete : characterized by swift action : fast-moving , quick , alert
appearing goodly to the sudden eye — John Milton
3.
a. archaic : made, provided, brought about, or acting in a short time : prompt , immediate
he acquaints the citizens with the king's peril … and requests their sudden assistance — John Cleveland
hire assassins or put sudden poison in my evening drink — P.B.Shelley
b. obsolete : executed or executing on the spur of the moment : impromptu , extempore
do it without invention, suddenly, as I with sudden … speech purpose to answer — Shakespeare
c. obsolete : shortly to come or be : early , soon
tomorrow, in my judgment, is too sudden — Shakespeare
Synonyms: see precipitate
II. adverb
: suddenly
sudden I heard a voice — Alfred Tennyson
III. noun
( -s )
obsolete : an unexpected occurrence : emergency
•
- of a sudden