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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Red, Redd(e, ppl. adj. Also: read(d. [ Red v.²]

1. Of land: Cleared of growth, crops, etc.; hence, prepared for sowing. = Rede ppl. adj. a, Rid p.p. and ppl. adj. 3. 1459 Rep. Hist. MSS, Var. Coll. V 82.
He sal tyn his red dal, supos it be sawyn and harrot has for this yer Ib.
And qwasom of thir forsayd tenandis falt in othyr red land he sal er hym als mykyl quyt land 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 44.
[3 acres of land lying upon] the red feld 1591 Old Dundee I 242.
Occupiers of the acres … to lay over the red ley riven out be them 1598 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 284.
After the corns ar win … you shall sow on every acre red land [etc.] 1638 Henderson Serm. 299.
When their pleugh was going all the fastest, he has cutted their cords, and made them to stand still, so that they can make no more red land at this time 1693 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 18 Sept.
To give him ane furlit sawing of read land to saw the corne upon 1618 Fam. Innes 206.
predic. In the nixt sasone after the ground sall be redde and cleare to cause outredde the same

2. a. Clear of impediments, obstructions, rubbish, etc. b. To mak red (a midding), to clear it away.a. 1551 Old Dundee II 119 n.
Keeping the passage red to pas and repas to the kirk 1612 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 102.
The said haill roum … to be maid void & redd be the awneris of the tymer & red thairintill to be removit … be thame … and that the said haill roum be halden void and red in all tyme coming 1665 Glasgow Merchants House 123.
To dight and keip the said sink red and clein 1670 Mylne Master Masons opposite p. 241.
To red the said quarrell and to keip it redb. 1565 Inverness Rec. I 128.
Causing hyr serwandis to mak red ane mydding at the foirsaid bakyet

3. Clear of occupiers, tenants, etc., and their dependants and possessions. = Rede ppl. adj. b, Rid p.p. and ppl. adj. 2.Chiefly (to lefe or mak) void and red (red and void) to (a new occupier or possessor).(1) 1566 Prot. Bk. J. Drummond MS 67b.
The said scheref deput fand the samyn [house] oppin woid and red and na maner of gudis nor geir thairin 1642 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 38.
That the saidis landis were and is woid red and patent to the said Androw(2) 1545 Reg. Privy C. I 4.
The sheriff … sall remoiff furth of the said abbay …, and leiff the samyn void and red 1567 Rec. Earld. Orkney 124.
Red and voyd 1558-66 Knox I 377.
The congregatioun … sall remove thame selffis furth of the said town … and leaf the same void and red of thame 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 170/18.
[The bishops compel them] to … leue the grounde voyd and red to thame selfis 1605 Bk. Dunvegan 116.(3) 1581–2 Reg. Privy C. III 440.
To remove fra the saidis houssis and pertinentis, and to mak the samin void and red to the said Patrik 1590 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 28 Sept.
[He] ramowit & output … Archbald his vyiffe barnis [etc.] … furtht fra the saidis houssis … & maid the same woid red & fre 1622 Red Bk. Menteith II 321.
To mak the glebe and manse voyde and red of the present possessoris 1663 Dingwall Presb. 301.
To make the house quhairin he dwelled readd for Mr. John Mackenzie against Lamb-messe 1663 Dumfries Council Minutes 2 July.
To mak voyd & red that peithous quhich is vpon the gleiblandsb. 1593 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 12 July.
Of a right of way: Open to someone passing through on permitted business. — Mr. Gilbert Gardine minister at Fordice … maid woid & red ane lone to the gudman of Lechistone hors meycht pas to the hill to carie thair petis of all vse & vynt