'suddenly-broken' is a compound word formed from 'suddenly' and 'broken'. 'Suddenly' originates from Middle English 'sodein', from Old French 'soudain', from Latin 'subitaneus', meaning 'unexpected'. 'Broken' comes from Old English 'brocen', past participle of 'brecan', meaning 'to break'.

The term 'suddenly-broken' combines the adverb 'suddenly' with the adjective 'broken' to describe an abrupt state of disrepair.

Initially, 'suddenly' meant 'unexpectedly' and 'broken' meant 'damaged'. The compound retains these meanings to describe an unexpected breakage.