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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(e, v.¹ Also: reid(e, reyd, reed, read(e; ried; rid(e, ryd. Pres. t. also reddis. P.t. and p.p. red, redd(e, rad; rede, reid, reed, read, raid. [ME and e.m.E. redenn (Orm), rede(n (Layamon), red (c1400), reed(e. P.t. and p.p. ret (c1175), red, redd(e (Cursor M.), rad(de, e.m.E. read(e. P.t. and p.p. read; also ME ræd(e (Orm), rad(e, OE rǽdan, OFris. rêda, OS râdan, OHG ratan, ON ráða, Goth. -rêdan.]

I. 1. tr. To advise or counsel (a person). a. Const. for till do something, with clause or other obj., or with adv. compl.(1) 1375 Barb. xix 148.
The kyng … askit his consell … Quhat he wald rede him for till do(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxxix 189.
Na man wes that cuth hym red Hou he suld [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 265.
That we … May ryple counsall ȝow and reid Gif the child has maid caus of deid c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 13/8.
I reid thé … that thou be penitent a1568 Bann. MS 23b/25.
Quhairfoir I reid boith riche and peur That of ȝour pairt ȝe be content(3) 1585 Maxwell in Paisley Mag. (1828) 381.
Mak merrie, man, … The best remeide I thé reide(4) a1500 Colk. Sow ii 45.
Gif that ȝe wald aggree To [etc.] … so wald I reid ȝow

b. Const. infin. without to. c. Parenthetically, with preceding or succeeding imper. clause.Ambiguous instances have been shown under c, but some of them may properly belong to b.b. a1500 Lanc. 2771.
I red yhow not disples c1475 Wall. x 258.
Twa choys thar is, the best I rede ws waill 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1083 (Ch.).
I red [Bann. rid] vs all go hence 1572 Sat. P. xxxi 91.
I rid thame leaue thair tressounc. (a) a1400 Leg. S. xxi 64.
& oure the se … I red thé pas a1500 Henr. Fab. 983.
Luke to this tod, … And fle the filth of falset, I thé reid c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 224.
I reid ȝow, cummer, tak in ȝour lynning clais a1540 Freiris Berw. 293 (M). a1568 Moffett Bann. MS 259b/1.
Bruthir be wyis I reid ȝow 1600-1610 Melvill 431.
I red thie, therfor, dull for Dunnibirsall(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1857 (Bann.).
Remowe, I ride ȝow(c) a1568 Bann. MS 80a/7.
Thairfoir I rid thé verrely Quhome to thow lennis tak rycht gud tent a1570-86 Balnaves Maitl. F. 358/66. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 363/110.
Sic luf I rid ȝow layne a1570-86 Shaw Maitl. F. 384/3.
I rid ȝow than war lufe war le

2. To advise (a particular course of action or line of conduct); to put forward by way of advice. c1420 Ratis R. 856.
Set thé tharfor in thi ȝouthed To knaw thir pointis that I red 1555 Conv. Burghs I 521.
Quhatsomeuer thingis thair thrie commissionaris … redis to be done a1568 Scott xxxiv 5.
Thairfoir I reid remeid, To leife and lat it be

b. With clause object.(1) 1375 Barb. vii 49 (C).
Tharfor I rede we turn agane Ib. xv 19 (E).
Tharfor I rede our cariage … Be thaim selwyn arayit be c1420 Wynt. v 3892.
Owt off the qwere I rede yhe ga 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 3437.
I rede we send ane messingere a1500 Henr. Fab. 1748 (Bann.).
Thairfore I rede pas we quhen he is gone a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1033.
I rede thow wirk as I wise a1500 K. Hart 767.
Thairfoir of it I reid no moir ȝe cun a1570-86 Maitl. F. 253/33. c1570 Chron. Fortirgall 145.
Therfor I red ye tak thame as ye fynd(b) a1500 Rauf C. 435.
I rid thow at bidding be(2) ?1438 Alex. ii 2812.
I red nocht that we hald vs still a1500 Rauf C. 888.
I rid that thou hartfully forsaik thy Mahoun c1475 Wall. v 789.
I rede that we Euirmar seik [etc.] a1540 Freiris Berw. 166 (M).
I reid now that we mak gud cheyr 15.. Clar. ii 1041.
Ryd(3) a1500 Lanc. 1026.
Tharfor y red hir thonk at yow disserue Or in hir presens … to sterf c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 195/37.
Thairfoir I reid … Send in ȝour steid, Ȝour ladeis 1513 Doug. xi vi 167.
Be war with thame fortill debait I red a1568 Scott iv 5.

c. absol. or intr. — ?1438 Alex. ii 4359.
Sa God me rede I can nocht rede c1420 Ratis R. 1068.
I pray thé, reul thé as thai red

II. 3. a. To decide (a cause). b. intr. ? To come to a decision; ? to take counsel together; to deliberate.a. 1456 Acts II 46/2.
All causis that can nocht be rede at this tyme be the auditouris of complayntis to be continuytb. 1590 Waus Corr. 463.
I think the conventione sall reid the morne

III. 4. Of God or Christ: To rule; to control, guide; to take care of.Chiefly in the imprecation Sa God me rede, also (once) sa me Criste reid. Freq. in Alex., without F. equivalent, appar. as a metrical filler.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 463 (A).
The gud king gaif the gaist to God for to reid(2) 1375 Barb. xi 53.
Schir Eduard said, ‘sa God me reid, Thouch he … Cum, we sall fecht’ ?1438 Alex. ii 1247.
Sa God me rede [F. par Dieu] Ib. 3909.
‘Schir,’ said that schene, ‘sa God me rede! I na thocht euill in word or deid Ib. 4874.
Gif he be tane and is nocht dede, Ȝit ar we weill, sa God me rede! Ib. 5383.
Sa God me rede [F. Par foy]! a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 809.
Gif I de doughtely the les is my dere Thoght he war Sampsone himself, sa me Criste reid! a1500 Sir Eger 1421.
Reed

b. intr. To take charge; to be in charge. — c1450-2 Howlat 216 (A).
The ravyne … Was dene rurale to reid

IV. 5. To perceive (the significance of a vision or dream, or the meaning of a riddle) and expound it to others.To reid fortunes, to tell fortunes.(1) c1420 Wynt. ii 317.
He wes the fyrst that dremys rede Ib. 348.
The kyng gat [a] vesyown … That nane cowth than bot Joseph rede Ib. iii 180.
They sawe … That [this] rydyll rede thai mycht a1500 Seven S. 2118.
That quha sa had a dreme to reid Suld bring of gold a porcioun … And thai suld it interprit than Ib. 2149. a1500 Bk. Chess 86.
Wysmen … That couth nocht reid the dremys [etc.](2) 1618 Trial Isobel Inch 9.
He profest himself … to reid fortunes, as he callit it

V. 6. To peruse, with comprehension and to oneself, (the letters, signs, etc., also, generally, the sense of a written text or significant part of such text); to scan with a similar understanding (the contents of a book, document, etc.).Also, with the author of the writing as obj.Also, to rede in (into) (the language specified).Also transf. and fig.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. i 17.
Aulde storys that men redys, Representis [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 1052.
For it wes tald [etc.] … As, that redis this, sal se c1420 Wynt. v 1440.
Justyne that red thaim oure Abbregyde all tha gret storys Ib. vi 674.
He lyis als in Ycolmkill, Hys epitaphy red quha will 1456 Hay I 217/30.
Ony quha lykis to rede or se stories of alde ancestry 1490 Irland Mir. I 16/3.
Redand and studeand this werk, thou sal be richt perfit in theologi c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 480.
Sum rownis and sum ralȝeis and sum redis ballatis 1513 Doug. i Prol. 267.
Redis my wark for thy And cast this other buke on syde Ib. v Prol. 14.
Sum plesance takis in romans that he redis 1548 Cal. Sc. P. I 155.
Rede this wryting and ryve it 1549 Compl. 117/35.
He apnit the vrytingis to red the tenor of them(b) c1420 Ratis R. 2.
Wndirstande this buk, Thow study & reid it oft 1490 Irland Mir. II 151/4.
To leir thame to reid and wnderstand the law of God 1533 Gau 31/13.
That is noth aneucht that ony reid the creid … bot we suld perfitlie onderstand it 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 131.
Quhy sulde nocht everie man reid the Scripturis, to cearse oute his awin salvatioun? 1562-3 Winȝet II 65/2.
That na man almaist, quhen he sal reid the medicine and remeid writtin vpon it [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 205.
The curat his creid he culd nocht reid 1567 Sat. P. iii 208.
Gif I do lie, reid the act of Parliament 1585 James VI Ess. 56.
Then reidar sie of nature thou haue pairt Syne laikis thou nocht, bot heir to reid the airt 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 150.
Ane wreiting, quhilk the said Patrik Hunter tuik vpe, and quhan he culd nocht reid nor vnderstand the same, schawand it to sic as culd reid [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I 18/7.(c) a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/11.
Gif thow vyl reade the vark of Hilarius vritand aganis Arrius(d) 1617 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 81.
Tetchin in the scooles … is only bot to gif them sume progresse quhairby they may understand the thinge they ride(e) 1666 Laing MSS I 351.
I fear you shall sciers fynd tym to ried thisp.t. a1500 Seven S. 1631.
Ane scolar … Come by the well and red the tytill a1540 Freiris Berw. 325 (B).
The freir vpstart … tuk his buk and red ane orisoun 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2910 (Ch.).
I never red that, thairfoir reid it ȝour sel 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 86.
Quhilkis letres your grace red and saw in Stirling 1567 G. Ball. 183.p.p. 1424 Cambuskenneth Let. to Jas. I.
Ȝour lettrez … we haf ressayuit red and vnderstandyn 1492 Myll Spect. 272.
A lytill buk in Latyn … the quhilk as I had red and consederit [etc.] 15.. Lord Fergus’ Gaist 11.
I haif red mony quars, … Baith Inglis and Latene 1549 Compl. 85/8.
Ane prophesie that I haue red in the Inglis chronyklis 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 149.
Maister Escame's book callit The Scole Mayster, quhilk is worthy to be red 1596 Dalr. I 156 marg.
The orisone of Caractak may be red in the 12 buk 1614 Conv. Burghs II 459.
The saids commissionars of burrowes having red and considerit the samyn c1650 Spalding I 223.
Haueing red and at lenth perusit the samen(2) 1456 Hay I 299/3.
I have red the maist part of bathe Cristyn and hethyn and of the alde testament and of the new 1513 Doug. i Prol. 337.
Als oft as ȝe hym reid, … Ȝhe fynd ilke tyme sum mery new consait c1552 Lynd. Mon. 109.
The gentyll redar that thé redis 1581 Burne Disput. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 152/10.
[They] studeit the scriptures verie diligentlie, and red vther ancient vryttaris Ib. 152/12.
Reid your Maister Caluine in his buke De Reformanda Ecclesia(3) 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 104.
Translait of new, thai may be red and song Our Albyon ile into ȝour wlgar leid 15.. Clar. v 2251.
He that in French hes red this historie a1578 Pitsc. I 383/19.
[They] that wsit or red the word of God in Inglische 1638 Baillie I 28.
If ye will read a leiffe in Latintransf. and fig. a1450 Fifteen Ois 256.
I beseik thé, Lord, that thou writ Thy woundis in my hert … that I May reid thi dollour ythandly c1490 Irland Asl. MS 9/33.
To wryte in our tung a table of confessioun that euery man redand it may rede & se his awne conscience and knaw his state & his synnis 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 87/36.
Thou hes red (sayis he) the varkis of the varld

b. To (be able to) read with understanding (a text written in) a particular language. 1494 Loutfut MS 8b.
Thair suld nan be in the office bot giff he couth his Lattyn reid & writ 1559 Reg. Privy S. V i 143/2.
Thame that are desirous to reid and write the Scottish toung Ib. 144/1.
Ane ABC for Scottis Men to reid the Frenche toung 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 225.
Nane sall be resavet in the said first clas bot he quha can reid … Inglis 1626 Edgar Old Church Life II 119.
[At Newbattle] everie scholar to pay 10 s. for lairning to reid and write Scottis

c. To decipher, or interpret, (characters, handwriting, etc.). 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 270.
Brokin leiiffis … writin craftly on rude papar, bot thai war sa blynd wee mycht nocht reyd ilk tent wourde c1550 Balcarres P. 315.
Gyff ȝour grace can red my hand wret 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I viii.
Suittis [etc.] … euil to be red be resoun of the antiquite of the wreit and forme of the letter

d. To adopt or substitute as a reading in a particular passage. (Cf. 17th c. Eng., in this sense (1659).) — 1562-3 Winȝet II 83/1.
In the x. leif, i. face, xi. line, reid left

7. To learn, find out about, or study (some event, fact, subject, etc.) by reading a book or other writing.Const. simple or clause obj., or obj. and infin.(1) pres. a1400 Leg. S. ii 790.
It hapnyt Nero for to red Of Troy the gret distruccione c1420 Wynt. i 371 h. of ch.
In this chapitere rede and se The Arke, and the Spate of Noe Ib. vii 1205.
Quha that his lyff seys and redis Ib. viii 6640.
Ane awenture in Franse befell That … Is worthe baithe to wryte and reid c1475 Wall. i 34.
Quha likis till haif mar knawledge in that part, Go reid the fyrst rycht lyne of the fyrst Stewart Ib. ix 820.
Off ws be found no lak eftir to reid a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 349.
Corspatrik, that we of tresoun rede [: sprede] 1533 Bell. Livy I 3/30.
Ȝe may in to thare storie rede Conding rewarde for euery nobil dede c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3652.
Geue thow, at lenth, wald reid his ryng a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 9.
Quhen he reids or heirs read the noble acts of his predecessors put in writt 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 305.
What ansuer this bill gat I reid not 1604-31 Craig i 33.
Read then … thy faults and my folliesp.t. 1531 Bell. Boece I l.
Ane wonder … quhilk passis all wonderis that evir we red afore a1538 Abell 104b.
He left the grettest hurd behind him at euir we red in ony kirkman 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4921.
Sa couetous as he was … , I neuer red ane formit on the mold 1567 G. Ball. 56.
Thay … Quhilk neuer hard the veritie, Nor neuer it redp.p. 1531 Bell. Boece I cviii.
Mo vailyeand men … Than evir was red in ony buke(2) pres. c1450-2 Howlat 534 (A).
Be this ressoun we reid … The Dowglas in armes the bludy hart beris 1456 Hay I 102/10.
We rede that, for the syn of Dauid, thare come dede … apon all his realme Ib. 129/19.
As we rede in scripture that [etc.] a1500 Henr. Fab. 571 (Bann.).
Now reid ȝe sall quhair at Sir Lowrence luche c1515 Asl. MS I 320/11.
I reid litill or nocht that the son contrar nature brak his cours 1501–2 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 642.
We leges … seyand redand & vnderstandand be divers charteris evidentis [etc.] … that the said Margaret … is nerest … are [etc.] 1535 Stewart 41232.
King Malcome … Off halmes [deidis] all vther did exceid In Albione in his dais, I reid 1562-3 Winȝet I 15/1.
Sen we reid that nane suld [etc.] a1585 Maitl. Q. 138/53.
Reid how thay [etc.]p.t. 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 95/20.
I neuer redd That loueris hadd sic caus of noyp.p. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xxi 16.
Ye; quhethir ye haue neuir rad, That [etc.](3) 1456 Hay I 212/20.
Men redis seldyn in stories a nacioun … till have [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II 71/6.
The Prophetis, of quhat sorte we reid in the Actis of the Apostolis to hef bene Agabus(4) c1475 Wall. xi 184.
Franchmen [now] likis it nocht to reid — a1400 Leg. S. x 28.
God chesyt hyme & [etc.] … That it in haly buke is rede 1492 Myll Spect. 289/24.
It is red of Olumpiades the Quene of Massedon that [etc.] Ib. 286/1.(5) c1420 Wynt. iv 1797.
In the sowth yhit as we rede Wes Bretownys 1456 Hay II 107/33.
As we rede of a grete lordis douchter 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1199.
As men in Ouide reidis 1535 Stewart 59919.
For moir misrewll wes neuir, as I reid, Into Scotland 1549 Compl. 90/13. 1567 G. Ball. 78.
Christ als discendit to the hell … As we may reid in Scripture(6) 1535 Stewart 40572.
His latter wyfe, I red, Ducke Richardis dochter wes

b. So farre as I reide, ? as far as I can discover, ? as far as I know. — 1604-31 Craig v 11.
Wherefore in loue … Thou must flee fayth, bee facile [etc.] … , Ere thou prevayle right, so farre as I reide

8. To read (a text, author, etc.) aloud (to (til) a person or assembly).Freq., to read prayers, etc., at a church service; to read, formally, a legal document, etc., before a council, court or the like (in jugement, judiciallie), specif. ? by so doing, to submit a proposed measure for consideration by parliament.Also const. on the person or matter under consideration.(1) pres. c1420 Wynt. v 3989.
Quhille The prestys … the Wangylle At the Mes war hard redand 1535 Stewart 22013.
The sevin psalmis … to sing and reid, With latony [etc.] 1551 Hamilton Cat. 289.
That ye … may the bettir reid the samyn buke to the edificatioun of the people 1556 Melrose Reg. Rec. III 217.
He … wald nocht reid the said articlis bot raif thame 1568 Crail B. Ct. MS 12 Oct.
Ane qualifiit man to reid the prayaris & be doctour of the gramar scoull 1575 Reg. Privy S. VII 40/2.
That the said Andro mak residence at the said kirk, reid the word of the evangell thairat [etc.] 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I 115.
He causit pen and reid ane infamous libellp.t. 1375 Barb. iii 436.
The king the quhilis meryly Red to thaim … Romanys c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 809.
Scho in hand ane letter had quhairon Hir charge scho red 1600-1610 Melvill 247.
He penned an excommunication, and in a bischoplie maner send out a boy with ane or twa of his jakmen, and red the sam in the kirk 1660 Dumbarton B. Rec. 78.
The provist … went to the mercat croce and thair red the paper testifeing this burghs loyalltie to His Majestie Charles the Second c1680 W. Row Blair 159.
Mr. Blair … took the Bible from the reader, and read over again the chapter that he was reading(b) 1557–8 Edinb. Old Acc. I 273.
Gevin to Patrik Vernor, for labors done be him quha rad the blak freris part of the play, xx s.p.p. 1410 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 31.
The rollement red, and the bischop awaiand for his part [etc.] 1433 Swintons App. xxxiv.
The quhilk brefe was red and ane assise chosin 1475 Edinb. B. Rec. I 31. 1498 Acta Conc. II 230.
That the sade officiale mak the sammyn til be red before him 1501–2 Edinb. B. Rec. I 93.
As be the procuratory … opinlie red and publist mare planelie apperith 1507 Edinb. B. Ct. Bk. 3.
The allegans of baith the said parties … hard red & vnderstandin 1513 Doug. Direct. 86.
That Virgill mycht intill our langage be Red lowd and playn be ȝour lordschip and me Id. Exclam. 44.
Now salt thou … to onletterit folk be red on hight 1562-3 Winȝet I 129/20.
Think ȝe nocht … that prayaris and louing suld be soung or red dayly seuin tymes 1568 Buch. Indict. 46.
A cartell wes red and put one the Mercat Croce of Edinburcht a1585 Maitl. Q. 193/80.
His deith … Hes rasit ane schamefull summoundis to heir red 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III 160.
Ane great stein latroun … quhairin the evangell was red 1593 Acts IV 11/1.
Quhilkis summondis with the executionis and indorsationis … being … red in presence of his maiestie [etc.] … first in Latyne and syne in Scottis 1596 Edinb. B. Rec. V 173.
Quhilk offerris being pennit and red the baillies [etc.] … approvet the samyn 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Breve de morte antecessoris.
The persewer … presentis the brieue … to the judge, and desiris him to cause the samin be red, and put to the knawledge of ane assise 1587-99 Hume 110/57.
To heare the word of God preached or red 1600 Conv. Burghs II 84. 1602 Acts Sederunt ii 35.
That thair sall be na suspensioun grantit … without the same be past, votit and red in presence of the haill Lordis 1627 Justiciary Cases I 74.
The dittay being red and the pannell accuset thairby of the … cryme 1633 Misc. Spald. C. I Pref. 46.
The … prayeris … to be daylie red be the townis reidar 1647 Acts VI i 663/1.
That … the minwtis of all that is done in that dayis session be publictlie red 1679 Lauder Notices Affairs I 227.
Their fell out some difference betuixt the Macers of Privy Councell and the Pursevants, whosse names should be first red(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxix 46.
In haly wryt I herde neuere rede … That [etc.] 1429 Dumbarton B. Rec. App. ii 2.
The quhilk beand seyn, rede, and herde 1499 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 430.
Gevin writtin and rede the sevin day of September(c) ?1438 Alex. ii Prol. 22.
Ane romains quhilk that I hard reid 1611 Inverness Rec. II 78.
Quhilk deid beinge reid in presens of the said Thomas 1633 Ib. 173.
Quhilk beinge reid, vyit and considerit(d) 1615 Aberd. Council Lett. I 130.
The kings letter being reed in Counsell 1690 Acts IX App. 150/2.
The act anent leasing making given in be the Lord Cardross read(e) 1609 Inverness Rec. II 71.
Dittay giffin in be them, and the same being raid [etc.](2) 1498–9 Acta Conc. II 328.
Wallace askit … the provisione … til be rede in jugement before the Lordis 1518 Fife Sheriff Ct. 96.
The poyntis and articlis contenit in ane libillit summondis present & red in jugement 1533 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 92.
Our souerane lordis lettres … war in jugment in presence of the saidis parteis producit and reid 1549 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 146.
Thai … causit reid in jugement the said Meriouns chartour 1571 Peebles B. Rec. I 332.
Johne Dikesone producit his tak of the said custum red in jugement 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 104. 1585 Inverness Rec. I 302.
Quhilk commissioun Johne Robertson baille … causit … to be judiciallie red — 1542 Acts II 415/2.
That thare was ane act instantlie red in faice of parliament that the haly write may be vsit in our vulgare toung 1650 Ib. VI ii 588/2.
Act … redd voyted and past in parliament(3) 1375 Barb. ii 84.
The letter tauld hym all the deid, And he till his men gert reid c1420 Wynt. vi 1307.
That lettyr scho gert till hyre rede 1488–9 Reg. Paisley 407.
The quhilk compromis beand schawn and red til us c1520-c1535 Nisbet Thess. v 27.
Redde 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 105.
Redd 1573 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 5.
Quhilk act red and intymeit to the said dekyn 1582 Ib. 566. — ?1438 Alex. i 510.
Leif ȝe the pray [etc.] … Or we sall reid ȝow sic ane fit That [etc.](4) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 332.
Cynthia … red ane bill on Cresseid 1514 Rec. Earld. Orkney 88.
Has deliverit, decretit and be the cheptare of the lawbuke redd theron for finale dome gevin, that [etc.]

b. To be red absent, to be declared an absentee. — a1500 Henr. Fab. 961.
I wilbe socht, and I be red absent

c. specif. To interpret punctuation while reading aloud. — c1616 Hume Orthog. 34.
The imperfect distinction … is red with half the pause of a perfect punct

9. a. To teach (a subject) (to, unto a person) by, or as by, reading a text and expounding on it. b. To study (a subject or author).a. 1560 Bk. Disc. 210.
A colledge in whiche the artis … be read be sufficient maisteris 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 12.
Thyr regentis … sal reid sik bukis of Aristotil [etc.] … as the principal sal praescrive to thayme a1570-86 Maitl. F. 208/52.
Thocht ane man all science can And it to vtheris dois nocht reid … In vane he laubouris 1628 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 111.
They repeitt perqueirr all that hes bein taucht unto theme the whole weik preceiding when the Greik authors … is first begun to be red unto themeb. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 271.
He had nocht xx ȝeris of aige quhen he red rethorik in Cartage 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 9.
Thys classe sal reid Terence [etc.] … and als the reulis of grammar

10. intr. To peruse a text; to read with comprehension. Also to rede forthyr, fordwart, etc. a1400 Leg. S. x 40.
As thai ma fynd … At lykis forthyr for to rede Ib. xxvii 1040.
& quha-sa reddis thus ma see How [etc.] a1500 Bk. Chess 1666.
But grammer can he nouther speik nor reid 1513 Doug. (S.T.S.) IV 194/23.
Gentill redaris … Offendis nocht my volum, I beseik, Bot redis leill 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 24.
My freind, go reid and reid againe Geue thow can fynde [etc.] 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 127.
He is nocht letterit nor can reid 1570 Leslie 249.
As may be sene in thair cronicles … , quha listis to reid at lenth a1585 Maitl. Q. 84/10.
Reid bakwart or fordwart and ȝe sall find the lyike sentence a1586 Kamington in Maitland Geneal. Setoun 41.
A man mair geuin to reid and pray 1650 Kingarth Session Bk. 27.
Any one of the elders that can reid to tak tryell

b. Coupled with write, usu. in references to literacy or education. c1500 Fyve Bestes 183.
He couth wele reid & sumpart write c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 161/12. 1557 Stirling B. Rec. I 71.
Barnis … that leris to reid and wryt c1563 Reg. Panmure I xxxii.
He … had beine brought vpe rudlie vithout letters, sa that he culd nather reid nor vreit 1567 G. Ball. 196.
Preistis, reid and wryte 1576 Orkney Oppress. 84. 1596 Dalr. I 5/26.
Sik brichtnes, that esilie thay may sie to reid and wryte 1599 Ellon Presb. 28.
That sick kirk officiars suld be … placed at every kirk as culd wrytte and reid 1627 Rep. Parishes 22.
Theire is ane greit necessatie of ane skule for not ane of the paroche can reid nor wryt

c. To right rede, to rede richt, to take a correct view. — a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 561.
Thai ruschit vp rudly quha sa right redis c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 255.
O reverend Chaucere, … quho redis rycht, Thou beris of makaris the tryumph riall

11. a. To rede in (intill, into) (a book or author), to read. = 6 above. b. To rede on (upon) (a book or other text), id.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxv 584.
He … in a buk of that science Red c1420 Wynt. ii 860.
In the fyrst buk, gyffe that yhe Wele nere the last end rede and se a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 878.
Oft in romanis I reid c1475 Wall. vii 902.
As witnes weill in to the schort tretty Eftir the Bruce, quha redis in that story a1500 Bk. Chess 818.
A juge … suld set his entent Dayly to reid in to the buke of law c1500 Fyve Bestes 76.
As in autentik writ we reid c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3484.
In tyll Orocius thow may reid Off that cuntre the lenth and breid Ib. 4185.
As may be red … in tyll his storye 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3628.
Vpon a time I red intill ane quair 1568 Lyndesay Pref. Adhort. 75.
In till this buke quha list to reid [etc.](2) a1400 Leg. S. i 711.
Angelis … brocht … to hym a buk … And all the wordis Petir one rad [: stede] a1540 Freiris Berw. 331 (B).
Quhylis still he satt in studeing And vthir quhylis vpoun his buk reding 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 15. 1549 Compl. 23/22.
Efftir lang conteneuatione of reding on diuerse sortis of beukis [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I 67/22.
He had weill taine ane booke and rede thair wpoun c1610 Melville Mem. 124.
Sche red vpon gud bukis

c. To rede apon a syde of the lef, to pay heed to only one side of a question. — 1456 Hay I 218/8.
Syndry folk redis apon a syde of the lef and nocht on the tothir

12. To rede of (a subject), to gain information about by reading; to read about. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1795.
This ilk tyme that we of reid Ib. 2059.
This Agamenone, we of reid Had o sone a1500 Colk. Sow ii 55.
A pig … So mervellous, mony men of him reidis a1500 Bk. Chess 983.
Off Julius Cesar … We reid that [etc.] c1515 Asl. MS I 212/7.
The quhilk was neuer red siclyk of na nacioun except the fals nacioun of Yngland c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 165/28.
Off full few freiris that hes bene sanctis I reid a1538 Abell 48a.
Sanct Brandan, quhem of marwellus thingis ar red quha will reid his store c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2835.
I reid weill of his presoning Bot nocht of his delyuering 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6493.
Of thair [sc. women's] counsell I reid anis in ane taill a1568 Scott ii 13.
Nor ȝit no clerk in story reidis Off sa tryvmphand weiris 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xiii.
Wee neyther reade of kirks nor buriales, mekill lesse of kirk-buriales

13. To read aloud, freq. in public. Freq. coupled with sing. Cf. 8 above.Also, once, to reid … of.(1) 1455 Ecclesia Antiqua 152.
I sal leyr diligentli to rede and sing in augmentation of Goddis service a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 651.
Let segis for thair saullis to syng and to reid c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 3/29. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 348.
Quhen he had red to Verbum caro factum est 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 176.
When … he had redd this farre [etc.] Ib. 218.
[He] red a guid space, till [etc.] 1618 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 169.
Mr. James Macqueine, … to reid in the kirk everie Sabbothe 1643 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 6.
The councell … inhibits all inhabitantis to desyre the master … of the musick schoole and reidars foirsaid to sing or reid heirafter at the said lykewakes a1650 Row 69.
That readers who hes read two yeares, and now cannot exhort, be deposed 1666 Jurid. Rev. XXIV 20.
I walkit all night up and down the loft, … and whiles read and whiles sang 16.. Wode's Psalter (ed.) 166.
He read and preachit quhair the lordis wer 16.. Ouchterlony Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 30.(2) a1497, 15.. Gray MS v 62.
Heir ws quhen we reid or syng Of miserere mei deus

14. a. To rede on, to continue to read; to read further. b. To rede (something) ouir (over), to read (it) through. c. To out rede, = Outred v.² d. To rede throw, to read from beginning to end.a. a1540 Freiris Berw. 342 (M).
The freyr … tuk his buik … and reidis on ane spaceb. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6961.
He belyue red ouir this prettie bill 1627 Misc. Hist. Soc. I 87.
Having … red over the haill writtis and amangis the rest [etc.]c. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1165.
Als sone as scho the chedull had out redd. a1578 Pitsc. II 60/27.
Quhene they had red throw all his lang manassingis

15. a. To teach by, or as by, reading aloud. b. ? To learn, or study, by reading (in a specified subject). But perh. merely a further instance of a.a. c1420 Ratis R. 143.
To ler sciens that master redis 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 13.
The bel sal ryng to the medicinis lesson, quha sal reid on to ix houris Ib. 14.
The medicine sal reid iiij days in the weik Ib. 15.
The lawar sal reid dayly ane hore in lawb. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 13.
The examinatouris salbe graduat ane in theologie, ane that has red in philosophie

VI. 16. a. tr. To tell or relate (something) (about, of a person). b. intr. To speak or tell (of a person).a. 1375 Barb. ix 660 (E).
Quha-sa off him the south will reid c1475 Wall. viii 1645.
As it is red in prophecy beforn In happy tym for Scotland thow was born 1490 Irland Mir. I 150/23.
Mony thingis … writtin of the devyne sapiens … the haly kyrk ascryvis and redis of this haly ladyb. 1375 Barb. ix 101 (E).
Sa did this king that ik off reid Ib. x 276.
I think off him to rede And to schaw [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ii 859 h. of ch.
Or I forthire nowe procede Off the genealogi will I rede c1475 Wall. vi 72 n.
Heirof as now I will na mair proceid … Of vther thing my purpois is to reid