suddenlyadv.adj.
/ˈsʌdn̩li/, U.S. /ˈsəd(ə)nli/ 1.
a. Without warning or preparation; all at once, all of a sudden.In some contexts the implication is rather ‘At an unexpected moment, unexpectedly’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > suddenness > [adverb]
feringc1000
ferlyc1000
suddenlyc1290
feringlya1300
in a braida1400
sudden?1404
of (a) suddentyc1440
at a braid1549–62
on or upon a (or the) sudden1558
at a (orthe) sudden1562
in a sudden1562
abruptly1565
on or upon (a) suddenty?1567
of a sudden1570
upon a very great sudden1572
in or on a great, in sic a suddenty1587
plump1594
unaware1667
surprisedly1680
a-start1721
abruptedly1784
with a bump1872
just so1971
c1290 S. Engl. Leg. 19 In ȝwuche manere it were Þat it queinte so sodeinliche al þat liȝt þat huy bere.
c1330 Speculum Guy 882 Worch while þu mait, For sodeyneliche þu miht be caiht.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 21 As a man that sodeinli A gost behelde, so fare I.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11609 Vte o þis coue þan sagh þai glide Mani dragons wel sodanli.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iii. xii. 114 Ye cam in sodenly ther as we were at the hyghe feest and tooke awey this lady.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vii. 505 He thoucht than with his cheuelry To cum apon hym suddanly.
1508 J. Fisher Treat. Penyt. Psalmes sig. tt.ii The cogytacyons whiche come sodeynly vnto the mynde.
1530 J. Rastell New Bk. Purgatory iii. xv. sig. h 4v Yf such a synner dye sodenly, and before he haue had any tyme to take any repentaunce.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12494 Sodonly the softe winde vnsoberly blew.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Biiijv Ouer this lies a Bridge, but trust mee, very weake, For when you are on midst therof, then sodenly twill breake.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 7 Cowardize is joyned with their crueltie, who dare do nothing but sodainly, vpon advantages.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 298 He view'd it round, When suddenly a man before him stood. View more context for this quotation
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. ii. 38 These natural Punishments or Miseries often come, not by Degrees, but suddenly.
1774 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1772 331 Here the water suddenly narrows.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 73 One star..suddenly made its appearance above one of the Aiguilles.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. iii. xii. 225 No one likes to be suddenly awakened.
b. Zoology and Botany. Sharply, abruptly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > physical arrangement or condition > [adverb] > sharply marked off from neighbouring parts
suddenly1843
1843 [see sense 5].
1847 W. E. Steele Handbk. Field Bot. 189 Leaves suddenly acuminate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 607 Þat þai schuld sodeinliche Smite of his heued hastiliche & no word no speke him to.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 165 I prey yow shapeth for my mariage Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde.
1423 Kingis Quair cxxvi Straught vnto the presence sodeynly Off dame Minerue,..Gude hope..led me.
c1475 Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls) VIII. 556 As soone as he was crowned, enoynted, and sacred, anone sodaynly he was chaunged into a new man.
c1480 (a1400) St. Justina 424 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 164 He hyr herd sodendely, & gert cese þat mortalyte.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) ii. xvii. sig. q.iii Wherwith saynt Werburge departed sodeinly To the blys of heuyn.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 iv. ii. 4 Speake suddenlie my Lords, are we all friends?
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 116 When the water enters the Weazon, men are suddenly drowned.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. xiii. 85 Be sure when you have Fired the Fuse, suddenly to cast it [sc. the grenade] out of your hand.
1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 82 If we fall into sin, suddenly to betake ourselves to Justice as to a soveraign Medicine.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > unintentional or unplanned character > [adverb] > in unplanned manner
suddenly1340
of unwarninga1400
on, upon, rarely of, in (a) suddenty1469
casuallya1549
extemporea1556
of (upon) this sudden1572
extemporally1577
at (the or a) volley1578
on (or o') the volley1578
extrumpery1582
unpremeditately1607
extemporary1610
extempory1623
extemporarily1667
impromptu1669
ad aperturam libri1679
unpremeditatedly1694
impulsively1768
extemporaneously1791
promiscuously1791
spontaneously1799
on (also upon) the spur of the moment (or occasion, etc.)1801
spontaneous1810
promiscuous1826
improvisedly1851
off-handedly1876
at the first jet1878
off the cuff1927
off the top of one's head1939
off the wall1966
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 64 Huanne me zuereþ be tyene, and sodaynlyche, huer-of him uorþingþ efterward.
a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 1485 He þat doth hyt sodenlyche, And afterwarde hym reweth myche.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 120 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 98 I can nocht say sudanelye..Bot I sall call my cardinallis & my counsall.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 ii. i. 134 Sight may distinguish of colours, but sodeinly to nominate them all, it is impossible.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 6 Doe it without inuention, suddenly, As I with sudden, and extemporall speech, Purpose to answer what thou canst obiect. View more context for this quotation
1656 N. Bernard Life J. Usher 22 Their readinesse in the Scripture was marvellous, being able suddainly to have repeated any part of the Bible.
a. After a comparatively short time; at an early date, early; soon, speedily; shortly (after).This sense tends to coalesce with 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > imminently or in the near future
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
soonc900
shortlya1050
newenc1175
newlya1225
nunonc1225
newenlyc1275
fast byc1300
tomorrowa1382
brieflyc1460
anonc1475
soonlyc1475
of newa1500
suddenlya1500
by and by1526
soon1545
imminently1548
short1556
erelong1577
eminently1646
bimeby1722
directly1851
a1500 Lancelot of laik 1876 Qwho that sal exced His rent, he fallith sodandly in nede.
1588 T. Kyd tr. T. Tasso Housholders Philos. f. 20 Salt and Vineger doo not onely keep flesh long time sweete, and seazoned, but fish and fowle, which will bee suddainly corrupt.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 210 Cut a small hole in euery tree, into which immediatly effudes the liquour, so that suddenly all the holes..are full.
1645 G. Digby in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 65 You shall as suddainly as may be receive a particular accompt of them both.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1565 I refrain, too suddenly To utter what will come at last too soon. View more context for this quotation
1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon iii. iv. 78 Either just before or very suddenly after this Voice, the King always cuts off People.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. i. 27 How he had been taught the art of a connoscento so very suddenly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1544 in J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) IV. 305 I will not bid you good night. Suddenly we shall meet again in the kingdom of heaven.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 288 When time is ripe, which will be suddenly . View more context for this quotation
1661 Prince Rupert in 11th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1887) App. v. 9 I hope the Duke of Yorke will have given order for a Fregatte for me, soe that I hope suddainsly to see you.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode ii. i. 22 Now practising a famous Ballat which will Be suddenly danc'd at the Bear-Garden.
1680 Bunyan's Mr. Badman Bookseller's Advt. (1905) 15 There is now in the Press, and will be suddenly published, An Exposition on the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10th, Chapters on the Hebrews.
1703 J. Petiver Musei Petiveriani ix-x. 95 Plants and Insects..some of which I shall suddenly figure.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 239. ¶12 I shall very suddenly give my Reader an Account of the whole Art of Cavilling.
5. When qualifying an adjective in the attributive position suddenly is often joined to it by a hyphen.
ΚΠ
1772 T. Nugent tr. J. F. de Isla Hist. Friar Gerund II. 147 One of those lazy, suddenly-learned gentry.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXV. 269/2 It tends to Trochus acutus in its suddenly-pointed spire.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 16 Aug. 1/2 One of those suddenly-arising emergencies.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adjective]
swiftc888
swifta1050
currentc1300
quickc1300
hastivea1325
hastyc1330
ingnel1340
swiftyc1380
speedfula1387
fasta1400
swippingc1420
speedy1487
fleet1528
tite?a1540
scudding1545
flighty1552
suddenly1556
flight1581
feathered1587
Pegasean1590
wing-footed1591
swift-winged?1592
thought-swift-flying1595
wind-winged?1596
swallow-winged1597
Pegasarian1607
skelping1607
rapid1608
night-swifta1616
celerious1632
clipping1635
perniciousa1656
volatile1655
quick-foot1658
meteorous1667
windy1697
high-flying1710
fleet-footed1726
aliped1727
wickc1760
velocious1775
flight-performing1785
fast-going1800
fast-moving1802
meteor1803
wight-wapping1830
fleety1841
speeding1847
swiftening1848
two-forty1855
fire-swift1865
pennate1870
spinning1882
percursory1884
zippy1889
meteoric1895
pacy1906
presto1952
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. K4 Yowre thoughte is soudainlier than ower tonge.
1600 Earle of Gowries Conspiracie B ij The suddainly comming of his Maiestie vnlooked for there.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.c1290