'suddenly-torn' is a compound word formed from 'suddenly' and 'torn'. 'Suddenly' originates from Middle English 'sodeinly', from Old French 'soudain', from Latin 'subitaneus', meaning 'unexpected'. 'Torn' is the past participle of 'tear', which comes from Old English 'teran', meaning 'to rip or pull apart'.

'Suddenly' evolved from Middle English 'sodeinly' to its modern form, while 'torn' remained consistent as the past participle of 'tear'.

Initially, 'suddenly' meant 'unexpectedly', and 'torn' meant 'ripped'. The compound 'suddenly-torn' retains these meanings, describing something ripped unexpectedly.