a. Now rare. [f. L. subitān-eus sudden (f. subitus SUBITE) + -OUS.] Sudden, hasty, unexpected; hastily produced or constructed.
1651. Biggs, New Disp., ¶ 196. The argument of curing by the subitaneous precipitancy of cold.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. vii. 248. Some are Subitaneous, the Product of 24 Hours.
1751. Chambers’ Cycl., s.v. Bridge, The Romans had also a sort of subitaneous bridges made by the soldiers, of boats [etc.].
1760–72. trans. Juan & Ulloas’ Voy. (ed. 3), I. 213. This almost subitaneous death of a person in the power of his age.
1778. Nat. Hist., in Ann. Reg., 111/2. The rain waters, the subterraneous cavities, the absorptions, and sometimes more subitaneous agents, have made great ruins.
1822. T. Taylor, Apuleius, 304. He never either grieves or rejoices, nor wills, nor is averse to any thing subitaneous.
1892. ‘Dick Donovan,’ In Grip of Law, 246. The subitaneous clanging of a heavy bell.
Hence † Subitaneousness.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Subitaneousness,… Suddenness.
