The verb is derived from Middle English ridden (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to complete (something unfinished); to free (someone or something); to relieve (someone); etc.”), probably from Old English *ryddan (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear”) (the past participle form ġeryd is attested), from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną (“to clear”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hrewdʰ- (“to clear land”), or possibly from *Hrew- (“to dig out, tear out; to open; to acquire”). The verb was probably also influenced by the following: * Middle English redden (“to rescue (someone), deliver, save; to rid (someone) of a burden; to free (someone)”) (from which redd (obsolete except Northern England, Scotland) is partly derived), from Old English hreddan (“to deliver, rescue, save; to free; to recover; to take away”), from Proto-West Germanic *hraddjan (“to rescue, save”), from Proto-Germanic *hradjaną (“to rescue, save; to free; to loosen”), possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kret- (“to move quickly; to rattle; to shake”); and * Middle English reden (“to arrange; to get ready, prepare; to put in order, tidy; to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to unblock; etc.”) (whence rede (chiefly Scotland, archaic)), from Old English rǣdan, Early Old English rēdan, from Proto-West Germanic *raidijan (“to arrange”), from Proto-Germanic *raidijaną (“to arrange”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂rey- (“to arrange; to count, count out”). The adjective is derived from rid, the past participle of the verb. The noun is derived from the verb. As regards noun etymology 1, noun sense 1 (“progress which has been made; speed”), compare verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.4.5 (“to complete or get through (a task, or work)”). cognates * Dutch redden (“to save, deliver”) * German retten (“to save, deliver”), reuten (“to clear”), roden (“to clear”) * Old Frisian hredda (“to save”) * Old Norse hrōðja (“to clear, strip”), Old Norse ryðja (“to clear, empty”)
Also Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.
We’re trying to rid the world of poverty.
4 more examples
Than thou madeſt heuẽ [heaven] free and rydde from all rebellion⸝ […][1526?], Erasmus Roterodamus, “The Seconde Peticion”, in [Margaret Roper], transl., A Deuoute Treatise vpon the Pater Noster, […], London: […] Thomas Berthelet⸝ […] , →OCLC, signature d.iij., verso:
If I coulde conuenyently rydde me of this felowe I wolde go with you wͭ [with] all my herte: […]1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio cccxli, verso, column 2; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
[John the Baptist's disciples] myſtooke John too haue been the Meſſias. John to the intent too rid his diſciples of this errour, ſendeth them to Chryſt, too enquire of hym whether hée were the very Meſſias, or whether ſome other were ſtyll too bée looked for: […]1569, Nicholas Heminge [i.e., Niels Hemmingsen], “The Thirde Sunday in Aduent. The Exposition of the Text.”, in Arthur Golding, transl., A Postill, or Exposition of the Gospels that are Usually Red in the Churches of God, vpon the Sundayes and Feast Dayes of Saincts. […], London: […] Henry Bynneman […], for Lucas Harrison and George Byshop, →OCLC, folio 10, recto:
[W]ould I haue giuen him the beſt horſe in Padua to begin his vvoing that vvould thoroughly vvoe her, vved her, and bed her, and ridde the houſe of her.c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 211, column 2:
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Also Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).
For the nature of the world is ſuch, that if any man rebuke the wickedneſſe thereof any thing ſharply, it ſéekes to rid them out of the way, too the intent it may ſinne the more licentiouſly.1569, Nicholas Heminge [i.e., Niels Hemmingsen], “The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according too the Order of the Storie, Compiled by Laying the Foure Euangelists Toogether. The Exposition of the Text.”, in Arthur Golding, transl., A Postill, or Exposition of the Gospels that are Usually Red in the Churches of God, vpon the Sundayes and Feast Dayes of Saincts. […], London: […] Henry Bynneman […], for Lucas Harrison and George Byshop, →OCLC, folio 121, recto:
The waye to rydde this vyle diſeaſe and miſchiefe, is to beſtowe vpon the infected place, a medicine made of Gumme Dragaganthe, foure ownces, infuſed in the ſtrongeſt Uyneger that may bee gotten, by the ſpace of eyght dayes: […]1575, Francesco Sforzino Vicentino, “A Treatise and Briefe Discourse, of the Cure of Spanels, when They be any Way Ouerheatte: […]”, in George Turberuile [i.e.. George Turberville], The Booke of Faulconrie or Hauking, for the Onely Delight and Pleasure of All Noblemen and Gentlemen: […], London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Christopher Barker, […], →OCLC, page 366:
3 more examples
[G]old he vvill giue her, / Theſe vvill I make induction to her ruine, / And rid ſhame from my houſe, griefe from my heart […]c. 1607–1610 (date written), Thomas Middleton; Thomas Dekker, The Roaring Girle. Or Moll Cut-purse. […], London: […] [Nicholas Okes] for Thomas Archer, […], published 1611, →OCLC, [Act IV], signature [H4], verso:
[I]ndeed I began ſincerely to hate my ſelf for a Dog, a VVretch that had been a Thief, and a Murtherer; […] I vvent about vvith my Heart full of theſe Thoughts, little better than a diſtracted Fellovv; in ſhort, running headlong into the dreadfulleſt Deſpair, and premeditated nothing but hovv to rid my ſelf out of the VVorld; […] nothing lay upon my Mind for ſeveral Days, but to ſhoot my ſelf into the Head vvith my Piſtol.1720, [Daniel Defoe], The Life, Adventures, and Pyracies, of the Famous Captain Singleton, London: […] J[ohn] Brotherton, […], J[ohn] Graves […], A[nne] Dodd, […], and T[homas] Warner, […], →OCLC, page 331:
Worst of all though were the leeches. The soldiers had managed to rid them from the camp interiors, but once you ventured out on patrol and into the wetlands, they were everywhere.2010 March 24, John H. Goodwin, chapter 41, in The Reluctant Spy, Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 293:
3
Often followed by from, of, or out of: to free or release, or to rescue or save, (oneself or someone, or something).
[Y]f there happen a plage of leproſy in any houſe of youre poſſeſſion, then ſhal he that ow[n]eth the houſe, come and tell the preſt, and ſaye: Methynke there is as it were a plage of leproſy in my houſe. Then ſhal the preſt commaunde to rydde all thynge out of the houſe or euer the preſt go in to ſe yͤ plage, leſt all that is in the houſe be made vncleane.1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Leuiticus xiiij:[34–36], folio xlviij, verso, column 1:
Thou haſt hither to had many councels of them, ſo let the heauengaſers & the beholders of ſtarres, come on now and delyuer the: yea and let thẽ ſhewe, when theſe new thinges ſhall come vpon the. Beholde, they ſhalbe like ſtrawe, which yf it be kindled with fyre, no man maye rydde it for the vehemence of the flame: […]1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Esay [Isaiah] xlvij:[13–14], folio xvij, verso, column 1:
2 more examples
Then comes ſhe [Juliet] to me [Friar Laurence], / And vvith vvild lookes bid me deuiſe ſome meane / To rid her from this ſecond mariage: / Or in my Cell there vvould ſhe kill her ſelfe.c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Iuliet. […] (Second Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, […], published 1599, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], signature M, recto:
We passed a large jaguar, glaring fiercely at a calf ten feet from him; […] Had we powder to waste, we would certainly have rid the graminivorous from many of their carnivorous neighbours, but we were now entering a tract of country celebrated for the depredations of the Texians and Buggles free bands, and every charge of powder thrown away was a chance the less, in case of a fight.1843, [Frederick] Marryat, chapter XII, in Narrative of the Travels and Adventures of Monsieur Violet, in California, Sonora, & Western Texas. […], volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans, […], →OCLC, page 257:
4
Archaic To clear (a place or way); especially, to clear (land) of trees, undergrowth, etc.
The vvaies […] Trajanius repaired, by paving vvith stone, or raiſing vvith banks caſt up ſuch peeces of them as vvere moiſt and miry; by ſtocking up & ridding ſuch as vvere rough and overgrovven vvith buſhes and briers: […]1610, William Camden, “Romans in Britaine”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press for] Georgii Bishop & Ioannis Norton, →OCLC, pages 63–64:
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Archaic Sometimes followed by away: to destroy or kill (someone).
This Gloſter ſhould be quickly rid the VVorld, / To rid vs from the feare vve haue of him.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 132, column 1:
The furious Tybalt caſt an enuious thruſt [of the rapier], / That rid the life of ſtout Mercutio.c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Juliet. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, published 1597, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], signature F2, verso:
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Archaic Sometimes followed by up: to remove obstacles or refuse from (a place); to clean, to clear out; specifically, to clear or empty (the stomach).
Come, lads, drink up your ale, and we'll just rid this corner, so as to have all clear for beginning at the wall as soon as 'tis light to-morrow.1872 September – 1873 July, Thomas Hardy, “‘To that Last Nothing under Earth’”, in A Pair of Blue Eyes. […], volume II, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], published 1873, →OCLC, page 266:
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Archaic Followed by up: to eradicate (something); to root out, to uproot.
8
Shropshire, Archaic Sometimes followed by away or off: to complete or get through (a task, or work).
I Rydde buſyneſſe that I haue in hande I do it quyckly⸝ […] He is a quicke workeman he can rydde more worke in an houre than ſome can do in twayne: […]1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio cccxli, verso, column 1; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
[T]he Printer, in one day ſhall rid / More Books, then yerſt a thouſand VVrighters did.1608, [Guillaume de Salluste] Du Bartas, “[Du Bartas His Second Weeke, […]. Noah. […].] The Columnes. The IIII. Part of the II. Day of the II. Week.”, in Josuah Sylvester, transl., Du Bartas His Deuine Weekes and Workes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Humfrey Lownes [and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson […]], published 1611, →OCLC, page 364:
2 more examples
[I]t vvas great Aduantage, in the Ancient States of Sparta, Athens, Rome, and others, that they had the vſe of Slaues, vvhich commonly did rid thoſe Manufactures. But that is aboliſhed, in greateſt part, by the Chriſtian Lavv.1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of the True Greatnesse of Kingdomes and Estates. XXIX.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, pages 177–178:
[T]he VVheel ridds VVork faſter off than the Pole can do: becauſe the ſpringing up of the Pole makes an intermiſſion in the running about of the VVork, but vvith the VVheel the VVork runs alvvays the ſame vvay; […]1680, Joseph Moxon, “Numb[er] X. Applied to the Art of Turning.”, in Mechanick Exercises, or The Doctrine of Handy-Works, […], volume I, London: […] Joseph Moxon, published 1678, →OCLC, § 12 (Of the Great Wheel), page 187:
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US, Rare, Regional Often followed by up: to put (a place, such as a room or a table) in order; to clear, to tidy.
VVhen you rid up the Parlour Hearth in a Morning, throvv the laſt Night's Aſhes into a Sieve; and vvhat falls through, as you carry it dovvn, vvill ſerve inſtead of Sand for the Room and the Stairs.1731 (date written; published 1745), [Jonathan] Swift, “Directions to the House-maid”, in Directions to Servants […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], and M. Cooper, […], →OCLC, page 88:
The four breakfasted by the thin light, and the ‘house-ridding’ was taken in hand.1891, Thomas Hardy, chapter LII, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume III, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the sixth (The Convert), page 197:
10
Obsolete To dismiss (someone) who has attended on a person; (reflexive) to remove (oneself) from a person's presence after attending to them.
We be able ynough to rydde vs of this mater without the [thee]: […]1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio cccxli, verso, column 1; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
[A] Judge riddeth a perſone aunſweryng before hym to the lawe at the barre.1564 February, Erasmus, “The Saiynges of Augustus Caeser”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., Apophthegmes, that is to Saie, Prompte, Quicke, Wittie and Sentẽcious Saiynges, […], London: […] Ihon Kingston, →OCLC, book II, folio 169, verso, paragraph 21:
They [constables] ought to Rid Frays, and ſeek the Neighbours to aſſiſt for ſeparating the parties; and ſuch as hurt them may be puniſhed by the Juſtices.1707, William Forbes, “An Abstract of the Duty and Powers of Justices of Peace, our of Our Own Acts of Parliament, and the Late Commission and Proclamation”, in The Duty and Powers of Justices of Peace, in this Part of Great-Britain Called Scotland. […], Edinburgh: […] [T]he heirs and successors of Andrew Anderson printer to the Queenes most Excellent Majesty; and to be sold at John Vallanges shop, […], →OCLC, paragraph 4, page 11:
12
Also, Obsolete Followed by of: to deprive (oneself or someone) of something; to strip.
[Parradio] Reſolude to ſlay the Prince, / And ridde him of his lyfe: […]1569 (date written), [Pedro Mexía, Mambrino Roseo], “The Fifth Historie”, in George Turberuile [i.e.. George Turberville], transl., Tragicall Tales […], London: […] Abell Ieffs, […], published 1587, →OCLC, folio 76, verso:
13
Obsolete, Rare To get away from or get out of (a place); to escape.
But if I my Cage can rid, / I'le flye vvhere I neuer did.1615, George Wither, “The Fourth Eglogue”, in The Shepherds Hunting: […], London: […] Thomas Snodham for George Norton, […], →OCLC, folio [F5], verso:
The Huntsman now calls in his Houndes, and at the fall of the Deere the Hornes goe apace: Now beginne the Horses to breathe, and the Labourer to sweat, and with quicke hands, worke rids apace: […]1626, Nicholas Breton, “Eight of the Clocke”, in Fantasticks: Seruing for a Perpetuall Prognostication, [Edinburgh]: [Printed for private circulation], published [1875], →OCLC, page 14:
The verb is derived from Middle English ridden (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to complete (something unfinished); to free (someone or something); to relieve (someone); etc.”), probably from Old English *ryddan (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear”) (the past participle form ġeryd is attested), from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną (“to clear”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hrewdʰ- (“to clear land”), or possibly from *Hrew- (“to dig out, tear out; to open; to acquire”). The verb was probably also influenced by the following: * Middle English redden (“to rescue (someone), deliver, save; to rid (someone) of a burden; to free (someone)”) (from which redd (obsolete except Northern England, Scotland) is partly derived), from Old English hreddan (“to deliver, rescue, save; to free; to recover; to take away”), from Proto-West Germanic *hraddjan (“to rescue, save”), from Proto-Germanic *hradjaną (“to rescue, save; to free; to loosen”), possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kret- (“to move quickly; to rattle; to shake”); and * Middle English reden (“to arrange; to get ready, prepare; to put in order, tidy; to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to unblock; etc.”) (whence rede (chiefly Scotland, archaic)), from Old English rǣdan, Early Old English rēdan, from Proto-West Germanic *raidijan (“to arrange”), from Proto-Germanic *raidijaną (“to arrange”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂rey- (“to arrange; to count, count out”). The adjective is derived from rid, the past participle of the verb. The noun is derived from the verb. As regards noun etymology 1, noun sense 1 (“progress which has been made; speed”), compare verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.4.5 (“to complete or get through (a task, or work)”). cognates * Dutch redden (“to save, deliver”) * German retten (“to save, deliver”), reuten (“to clear”), roden (“to clear”) * Old Frisian hredda (“to save”) * Old Norse hrōðja (“to clear, strip”), Old Norse ryðja (“to clear, empty”)
1
Archaic, Obsolete Chiefly of a place: which has been ridded (etymology 1, verb sense 1.4.1) or cleared; rid-up.
We will make room for you! We will make a rid road from here to Winchester!1866, C[harles] Kingsley, “How They Held a Great Meeting in the Hall of Ely”, in Hereward the Wake, “Last of the English.” […], volume II, London; Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page 137:
rid
noun
Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English ridden (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to complete (something unfinished); to free (someone or something); to relieve (someone); etc.”), probably from Old English *ryddan (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear”) (the past participle form ġeryd is attested), from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną (“to clear”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hrewdʰ- (“to clear land”), or possibly from *Hrew- (“to dig out, tear out; to open; to acquire”). The verb was probably also influenced by the following: * Middle English redden (“to rescue (someone), deliver, save; to rid (someone) of a burden; to free (someone)”) (from which redd (obsolete except Northern England, Scotland) is partly derived), from Old English hreddan (“to deliver, rescue, save; to free; to recover; to take away”), from Proto-West Germanic *hraddjan (“to rescue, save”), from Proto-Germanic *hradjaną (“to rescue, save; to free; to loosen”), possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kret- (“to move quickly; to rattle; to shake”); and * Middle English reden (“to arrange; to get ready, prepare; to put in order, tidy; to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to unblock; etc.”) (whence rede (chiefly Scotland, archaic)), from Old English rǣdan, Early Old English rēdan, from Proto-West Germanic *raidijan (“to arrange”), from Proto-Germanic *raidijaną (“to arrange”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂rey- (“to arrange; to count, count out”). The adjective is derived from rid, the past participle of the verb. The noun is derived from the verb. As regards noun etymology 1, noun sense 1 (“progress which has been made; speed”), compare verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.4.5 (“to complete or get through (a task, or work)”). cognates * Dutch redden (“to save, deliver”) * German retten (“to save, deliver”), reuten (“to clear”), roden (“to clear”) * Old Frisian hredda (“to save”) * Old Norse hrōðja (“to clear, strip”), Old Norse ryðja (“to clear, empty”)
Forkers are to bee foretolde that they give upp goode forkefulls [of hay], because the winde hath not soe much force and power to blowe it away, and likewise (by this meanes) it is sooner layde, and the loader comes more ridde.1641 (date written), Henry Best, “For Leadinge of Hey”, in Rural Economy in Yorkshire in 1641, being the Farming and Account Books of Henry Best, […] (Publications of the Surtees Society; XXXIII), Durham, County Durham: [F]or the [Surtees] Society by George Andrews, […], published 1857, →OCLC, page 36:
Etymology The adjective is derived from rid, the obsolete past participle form of ride.
1
Northern England, Archaic, Obsolete As the second word in a compound: synonym of ridden (“full of; also, dominated, oppressed, or plagued by”).
So Cupids faire mother be thy midvvife: out and alas I am mare rid, vvhat Somners Ghoſt or limme of Lucifer, puts poore Bordello in minde of pennance before he hath treſpaſſed?1610, Iohn [i.e., John] Mason, The Turke. A Worthie Tragedie. […], London: […] E[dward] A[llde] for Iohn Busbie […], →OCLC, Act III, scene i, signature F3, verso:
[F]ull ten thouſand horſe / Freſh and vvell rid ſtrong Maſſiniſſa leades / As vvinges to Roman legions that march ſvvift / Led by that man of conqueſt, Scipio.1605–1606 (first performance), Iohn [i.e., John] Marston, The Wonder of Women: Or The Tragedie of Sophonisba, […], London: […] Iohn Windet and are to be sold [by William Cotton] […], published 1606, →OCLC, Act V, scene i, signature F3, recto: