Sūd'den1, a.
(58), a. [A-S. soden, O. Fr. sodain, sudain, soubdain, N. Fr. soudain, Pr. subtan, subitan, It. subitano, subitaneo, Sp. & Pg. subitaneo, from Lat. subitus, that has come on suddenly, sudden, from subire, subitum, to come on, to steal upon, from sub, under, secretly, and ire, to go. Cf. SUBITANEOUS.]
Sense 1. Happening without previous notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparatives.
Sudden fear troubleth thee. Job xxii. 10.
Sense 2. Hastily prepared or employed; quick; rapid. “The apples of Asphaltis, appearing goodly to the sudden eye.” Milton.
Never was such a sudden scholar made. Shak.
Sense 3. Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate; passionate. [Obs.] Shak.
Synonyms—Unexpected; unanticipated; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.