sodeynly

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From sodeyn + -ly.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /suˈdæi̯nliː/, /ˈsudinliː/, /suˈdæi̯nlit͡ʃ(ə)/

Adverb

sodeynly

  1. Suddenly, non-gradually; without buildup or warning, in an abrupt way.
    • a. 1394, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Knight's Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales, lines 1575–1576:
      He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde / For ire he quook; no lenger wolde he byde
      He sensed a cold sword suddenly move / He quaked due to rage; he wouldn't keep still any longer
  2. Unanticipatedly; without warning or prior notice.
  3. With immediate or quick effect; instantaneously or with great haste.
  4. Impulsively; in a poorly-thought or ill-conceived way.
  5. (rare) At the present moment.

Descendants

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

References

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