noun
1. : unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence
sudden death following coronary occlusion
from battle and murder and from sudden death, good Lord, deliver us — Book of Com. Prayer
2. : decision by a single throw of dice or toss or spin of a coin in gambling
3.
a. : a single full game played to break a tie
b. : competition to break a tie that terminates the moment one side scores or gains the lead in an overtime period or play-off
4. : a disease of cloves (as in Zanzibar and Madagascar) of unknown cause marked by the extreme rapidity with which death of the tree follows a slight chlorosis and wilting