WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sud"den
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : 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. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for. -- Sud"den*ly, adv. -- Sud"den*ness, n.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Sud"den
Part of Speech : adv.
Definition : Defn: Suddenly; unexpectedly. [R.] Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered. Milton.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Sud"den
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : Defn: 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! Milton. He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden. Thackeray.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913