Also means
abruptly (especially of a fall)
Usage Note
Jählings (related to jäh, abrupt) is literary and somewhat old-fashioned. It typically describes sudden physical downfall or steep decline — jählings in die Tiefe stürzen — and can describe emotional collapse. Found mainly in elevated or narrative prose.
Examples
"Er stürzte jählings von der Leiter."
Natural Translation
He plunged suddenly from the ladder.
Literal Translation
He fell precipitously from the ladder.
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