abrupt, sudden

猝 is composed of the radical 犬 (dog) and 卒 (end). 卒 represents the binding or opening point of a garment’s front panels, implying conclusion or end. Many things in the world end abruptly, so 卒 itself carries the sense of suddenness. Dogs are beasts and move swiftly, often acting in ways unexpected by humans, so 猝 means sudden or abrupt.