\Sud"den\, a. [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}.]
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.

\Sud"den\, adv.
Suddenly; unexpectedly. [R.]
      Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered. --Milton.

\Sud"den\, 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! --Milton.
         He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden.
                                               --Thackeray.