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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.

Reddar, n.² Also: readd- and -er, -or. [ Red v.²; also in the later Sc. and north. Eng. dials. See also Ridder n.]

a. One who acts to separate combatants or intervene in a dispute or affray.Reddar's blowes or strokes, blows falling upon the person who is trying to pacify the combatants.(1) 1453 14th Rep. Hist. MSS App. iii 9.
Gyf ony of thare men happins to debat or discord … that nouther of thaim sal tak part with thaire awyn men bot be euynly reddaris and stanchearis of euill 1515 Alloway Baron Ct. 28 June.
The said Adam & Jok denyit the bludweit, allegeand that thai war reddaris 15.. Clar. iii 461.
Redderis 1563–4 Inverness Rec. I 112.
Thaireftir … vald haif strukit me had nocht beyne the bettyr reddaris 1579–80 Reg. Privy C. III 268.
The said provest, according to his office, interponit himself as reddar betuix the saidis partiis 1589 Lett. Jas. VI to Bruce 280.
Youre neu office of redder andconponer 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Sequester, a reddar of plaies 1605 Aberd. B. Rec. II 267. 1606 Inverness Rec. II 48.
Readder 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 47. 1608 Reg. Privy C. VIII 208.
[Wounding William Murray of Romanno and divers other] gentilmen redderis 1613 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 4 Nov. 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS 7 June.
He wes ane redder and intervenit betuix theme 1642 Justiciary Cases II 475.
The deponer come with oares in his hand and past betwix the pairteis as ane redder 1643 Baillie II 90.
All were bent to go as redders, and friends to both 1673 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 47.
It fell out to be betwixt William Hendrie and his wife and Malcome being redder gott some stroakes a1676 Guthry Mem. (1747) 261. 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xxv 7 (1678) 341.
I would advise the redder, or assister, to cry, that he intends to do no prejudice to either party(2) 1691 Farther Vindic. 12.
Which is indeed a difficil task, wherein the redders blowes from both parties may rationally be expected 1697 Marchmont P. 128.
[One week] the one side was offended at me, and another week the other; thus I plainly get the reddor's strokes

b. One appointed to fix or verify land boundaries. c. A labourer set to clear away rubble, debris, etc.b. 1601 Paisley B. Rec. 242 marg.
Marche reddersc. 1609 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I 133b.
Draweris of dead wark and reddaris of harlis shaft 1629 M. Works Acc. II 296, 297.
To the redderis of the quarrell …, to the craig redder