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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.

Reddines, n. Also: reddy-; redi(e)-, redy-, rede-, reday-; readi(e)-, ready-; ridi- and -ness(e; Raddynes. [e.m.E. and ME redinesse (Gower).] Readiness, in various senses.

1. Willingness (to do something); willing compliance; good will. 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 93.
His … reddines to fulfil all oure commandmentis a1578 Pitsc. I 141/6.
Ambassadouris came … to thank him for his goode will and redienes 1593 Crim. Trials I ii 287.
The det-bund guidwill and readynes of the noblemen … to do all that lyis in thair habilitie 1604 Aberd. Council Lett. I 100.
Ȝour goode affectioun and redaynes at all occasiounis in our service 1624 Anal. Scot. I 172.
Ye will schaw your readiness to obey your commandementis

2. A state of preparedness (freq., of military preparedness). a. With indef. art., in the phr. in a (ane) reddiness. 1547 Reg. Privy C. I 73.
Our auld inemeis of Ingland ar in ane reddynes with navy of Inglis schippis to cum and invaid the realme 1556 Peebles B. Rec. I 236.
To caus the said James haif all thing … in ane reddynes to be deliuerit 1572 Ib. 342.
The haill inhabitantis … to be in ane reddynes, quhen [etc.] Ib. 352.
All thame that hes gunnis to haif thame at all tymes … in ane reddynes with sufficient pulder and bullettis 1595 Lanark B. Rec. 111
The number of thair quarter to be in a redenes at strak of suis 1659 Ure Rutherglen 54.
[It] may be in a reddines against it be called for

b. Without art., in the phr. in reddines.Common in the phr. to be, or have, (also, to mak), … in reddines.(1) 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 23.
All to be in reddynes upoun xxiiij houris warning 1545 Douglas Corr. 161.
Dessyirand ws to be in redines at the cuming of the kingis majestes arme 1559 Fam. Rose 229.
Your grace may lyppyne that I salbe in redynes to serwe [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 939. 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary II 179.
And the matter fayllit that night, becaus all thingis war not in reddynes thairfor 1567–8 Inverness Rec. I 161.
Johne Reid grantis him to haue xviij hydis to be in redenes a1568 Scott i 177.
Latt all thy realme be now in reddines With coistlie clething to decoir thy cors 1570 Conv. Burghs I 21.
That thair is certane piratt schippis in redynes 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Promptu, in reddynes 1600-1610 Melvill 716.
Lettres of horneing in reddines presently to dischairge the same(2) 1533 Boece 36.
Iber … having ȝong men … in reddines to vse thare vassalage as the tyme requirit 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II 262.
[They] sall nuryce and hef in reddines ane leiche of hundis for volf and fox 1616 Fraserburgh Kirk S. fol. 79b (23 Oct.).
The complainer to hawe his proofes in reddines 1653 Dunferm. Ann. 328.
Mr. Thomas Walker, schoolmaster, to have his schollers in reddiness to repeat the Catechism 1684 Laing MSS I 428.
To have in readienesse a full information in writte 1685 Rec. Old Tolbooth in Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 40.
To have the said expenses in redenes a1686 Turner Mem. 238.
[They] haveing boates in readienes, fled to the Iles(3) 1552 Reg. Privy C. I 130.
Gif the lord neames his tennent and chargis to mak him in reddines to compeir [etc.] 1570 Leslie 161.
He had maid and preparit all thingis in ridines

3. The condition or fact of being in a state of preparedness. Also in the reddines. 1557–8 Treas. Acc. X 336.
To have stafe slungis in the reddines 1561–2 Additional Maitland-Thomson Material MS 23 March.
And the muk liand therupoun or in the reddines therffor 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 399.
Anent the reddines of his hous at the king and quenis majesteis commandiment 1639 Baillie I 200.
We heard of nought bot of all England's arming, at least of the readyness of six or seven thousand great horse

4. The state of being available or to hand. In reddines, available. 1562-3 Winȝet II 16/11.
Thai thingis … I put in writt …: as quhen it mot be in reddines, quhareby the imbecillitie of my memorie … may be supportit 1579–80 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 101.
To deliuer to him all the money ȝe haif in redines