sudden

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   happening without warning or in a short space of time

   A sudden storm blew our solar panels right off the roof.

2. 2
   adj

   Occurring quickly with little or no warning or expectation; instantly.

   The sudden drop in temperature left everyone cold and confused.

3. 3
   adj

   Hastily prepared or employed; quick; rapid.

   Never was such a sudden scholar made.

4. 4
   adj

   Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate.

   I have no joy of this contract to-night: / It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;

5. 5
   adv

   Suddenly.

   Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered.

6. 6
   noun

   An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.

Etymology

From Middle English sodeyn, sodain, from Anglo-Norman sodein, from Old French sodain, subdain (“immediate, sudden”), from Vulgar Latin *subitānus (“sudden”), from Latin subitāneus (“sudden”), from subitus (“sudden", literally, "that which has come stealthily”), originally the past participle of subīre (“to come or go stealthily”), from sub (“under”) + īre (“go”). Doublet of subitaneous. Displaced native Old English fǣrlīċ.