Sudden — Defs

01 a. Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.

1.
Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.
“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.]

Syn. Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.

02 adv. Suddenly; unexpectedly.

1.
Suddenly; unexpectedly.[R.]
“Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered.” — Milton.

03 n. An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.

1.
An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.
“How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost!” — Milton.

“He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden.” — Thackeray.

Phrases & compounds

All of a sudden — sooner than was expected; without the usual preparation; suddenly.