ἐξ·αίφνης, adv., tout à coup, subitement, IL. 17, 738, etc. ; PD. O. 9, 56 ; ESCHL. Pr. 1077 ; SOPH. O.C. 1610 ; avec un part. ἄν τι δόξειεν ἀκούσαντι ἐξαίφνης, PLAT. Crat. 396 b, il en jugerait ainsi aussitôt après avoir entendu.

Étym. pré-grec, cf. ἐξαπίνης.

Adv.
on a sudden, Il. 17.738, 21.14, Pi. O. 9.52, A. Pr. 1077 (anap.), S. OC 1610, etc. ; c. part., ψυχὴν θεωρεῖν ἐ. ἀποθανόντος ἑκάστου the moment that he is dead, Pl. Grg. 523e; ἀκούσαντι ἐ.
at first hearing, Id. Cra. 396b; c. Art., τό γ’ ἐ. D. 18.153; but τὸ ἐ.
the instantaneous, that which is between motion and rest, and not in the time-series, Pl. Prm. 156d; but, = τὸ ἐν ἀναισθήτῳ χρόνῳ διὰ μικρότητα ἐκστάν, Arist. Ph. 222b15.

adv., plötzlich, unvermutet ; Il. 21.14 ; Pind. Ol. 9.56 ; Aesch. Prom. 1079 ; Soph. oft ; οὐ ῥᾴδιόν ἐστιν οὕτως ἐξαίφνης πεισθῆναι Plat. Crat. 391a ; c. partic., ἄν τι δόξειεν ἀκούσαντι ἐξαίφνης, sobald er gehört hatte, ib. 396b, vgl. Gorg. 523e u. Aesch. 3.59 ; ἡ ἐξαίφνης φύσις Plat. Parm. 156d. S. auch ἐξαπίνης.

ἐξ-αίφνης (WH, ἐξέφνης, exc. Act.22:6; see App., p. 151, and cf. M, Pr., 35), adv.
(< ἄφνω), [in LXX chiefly for פִּתְאוֹם ;]
suddenly Mrk.13:36, Luk.2:13 9:39, Act.9:3 22:6.†
(AS)