suddenness

plural suddennesses

1. uncountableusuallyThe state of being sudden.

   The suddenness with which the solemn quiet had been broken in upon, had chaced from his remembrance the horrid phantom;—it now recurred to it, with two-fold force, and a shudder crept all over him.

   1807, [Miss Guion], chapter VI, in The Three Germans. Mysteries Exemplified in the Life of Holstein of Lutztein. A German Romance. […], volume I, London: […] J[ames] F[letcher] Hughes, […], →OCLC, page 124

   2 more examples

   The suddenness of this shock must prove irresistable; the Count and those about him will be borne down; the rest will take to flight; the friends of Bernabò will rise and liberate his sons, while I seize one of the gates and secure a retreat […]

   1830, David Syme, The Fortunes of Francesco Novello Da Carrara, Lord of Padua

   "Well," said the Duc, with that outward calmness of manner which anger often affects; "so you do not like me? I am sorry for your bad taste! and I bid you good night, quite convinced that you will repent your refusal; and I dare say you will never get married at all." So saying, he left the terrace; while Francesca remained for a few minutes, bewildered by the suddenness of the scene, and half inclined to laugh at the Duc's parting denunciation.

   1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter V, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 50

   Synonyms: abruptness, subitaneousness, precipitantness, precipitousness, spontaneity, spontaneousness