SUDDEN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Sudden

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/sˈədən/ Listen

adjective

Sudden adj.

Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy. "O sudden wo!" "For fear of sudden death." "Sudden fear troubleth thee."

Hastly prepared or employed; quick; rapid. "Never was such a sudden scholar made." "The apples of Asphaltis, appearing goodly to the sudden eye."

Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate. (Obs.)

Synonyms: Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.

noun

Sudden n. An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.

All of a sudden, On a sudden, Of a sudden, sooner than was expected; without the usual preparation; suddenly. "How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost!" "He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden."

adverb

Sudden adv. Suddenly; unexpectedly. (R.) "Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered."

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Etymology of 'Sudden'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Sudden" Quotes from Famous Books

... noiselessly. When he reached the corner of the barn it again seemed to him that he saw something moving, this time near the plow; but it quickly disappeared. By this time Ivan's heart was beating very fast, and he was standing in a listening attitude when a sudden flash of light illumined the spot, and he could distinctly see the figure of a man seated on his haunches with his back turned toward him, and in the act of lighting a bunch of straw which he held in his hand! Ivan's heart ...

— The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories • Leo Tolstoy

... two sudden developments. What was left of the first advancing company of Turks halted below the ramp, and with sublime effrontery, born no doubt of knowledge that we had no artillery, proceeded to dig themselves a shallow trench. The Zeitoonli ...

— The Eye of Zeitoon • Talbot Mundy

... here?" Grace asked, a sudden change again coming over her sweet countenance, though I was altogether too inexperienced to understand its meaning. "He is certainly to be a clergyman—his dear father's assistant, and, a long, long, very long ...

— Afloat And Ashore • James Fenimore Cooper

... This extremely sudden movement on the part of Varney was certainly as unexpected as it was decisive. Henry had imagined, that by taking possession of the only entrance to the summer-house, he must come into personal conflict with the being who ...

— Varney the Vampire - Or the Feast of Blood • Thomas Preskett Prest

... sudden and incalculable. Often she stood at the window, looking out, as if she wanted to go. Sometimes she went, she mixed with people. But always she came home in anger, as if she were diminished, ...

— The Rainbow • D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence

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