ˈsʌdn adj. & n. --adj. occurring or
done unexpectedly or
without warning;
abrupt, hurried,
hasty (a sudden
storm; a sudden departure). --n.
archaic a hasty or abrupt
occurrence. øall of a sudden unexpectedly; hurriedly; suddenly. on a sudden archaic suddenly. sudden
death colloq. a
decision in a
tied game etc.
dependent on
one move, card,
toss of a
coin, etc. sudden
infant death
syndrome Med. = cot-death (see COT(1)). øøsuddenly adv. suddenness n. [ME f. AF sodein, sudein, OF soudain f. LL subitanus f. L subitaneus f. subitus sudden]