sodeyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

• sodain, sodaine, sodayne, sodeyne, soodeyn, soden, sodan, sudeyn, sudeyne, sudayne, soudein, soddeyn, suddayne, sodand

Etymology

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman sodein, from Latin subitāneus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /suˈdæi̯n/, /ˈsudin/

Adjective

sodeyn

1. Sudden; happening or developing without buildup or non-gradually.
   • a. 1382, John Wycliffe, “Wisdom 17:14”, in Wycliffe's Bible:

     weren hurlid sum tyme bi drede of wondris ayens kynde, sum tyme the soulis failiden bi ledyng ouer; for why sudeyn drede and vnhopid, cam on hem.

     (They) were then afflicted by a fear of beasts, then their souls failed as they gave up, as sudden, unanticipated fear overcame them.

2. Unanticipated; happening or developing without warning or notice.
3. Hasty; happening or developing in a quick or fast way.
4. Impulsive; happening or developing as a result of a poorly-thought decision.
5. (rare) Ephemeral; short-lived or impermanent.

Derived terms

• sodeynly
• sodeynte

Descendants

• English: sudden
• Scots: sudden, suddent (modified to match the Middle Scots past participle -and, -ant)

References

• “sodein, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 20 October 2018.