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. Shak.
Syn. — Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.
— Sud″den‐ly, adv. — Sud″den‐ness, n.