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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.

Reddy, -ie, adj. and adv. Also: -ye, -i, -é; redy(e, -i(e, -é, -ey; read(d)y, -ie; reidy; reedie; riddy, -ie, -é; rydé, rydi-; Raddy. [Early ME rædig (Orm), rædi (Layamon), readi (a1240), ME and e.m.E. redie (c1200), late ME and e.m.E. readie (1461), e.m.E. reddy (1526), appar. f. OE rǽde or gerǣde, with the addition of the suffix -ig.] Ready, in the usual senses and applications.In senses 1–5 only predic., and in senses 8–10 only attrib.

A. adj. I. 1. In a state of preparedness; prepared to carry out promptly any action that is called for; ready for use when required.Also const. at (the command of another).(1) 1412 Aberd. B. Rec. I 389.
Giff ony soudane affray comys, that thai be redy under the said payne ?14.. Ship Laws c. 18 (B).
A marchand frauchtys a schyp … and thai lay thair schyp redy in the see 1525 Acts II 297/2.
At all tymes justice airis generale can nocht be redy and delay … gevis new occasioun of trespassi a1578 Pitsc. I 202/24.
That they sould be redy at ane certane day at his cuming(b) 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 3237.
Than Emenedus all reddie was boun Ib. 3407. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1927 (Bann.)
Our wickit ennemye Quhilk slepis nocht, bot evir is reddye Quhen [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 763.
Quhen I haue hy, That thow be fundin reddy With birny and brand 1513 Doug. viii viii 91.
For now thar schippys ful thik reddy standis Ib. x x 100.
Bot sone Eneas speir was reddy thar Ib. ix iv 10. c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 10.
He wil … haue them … to wait and be reddy aganis his cummynge 1535 Stewart 8171.
Men … in arrayit feild euin reddie as tha wuld june Ib. 42815. 1544 Misc. Maitl. C. IV 103.
And I as ane of your servandis sall be alwayis redde to the uttirmest of my lytil powr 1548 Treas. Acc. IX 218.
To be redde upoun vi houres 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3266.
He knokit at the gin, Scho was reddy thairat, and leit him in a1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvi 57.
Now is my pretty pynnege reddy 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 312.
To bid him be reddie against the morne (as he was appointed befoir to that day) a1600 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 432.
He cawsit certayne horse men to be still reddie at all eventuris(c) ?1542 Riddell Tracts 142.
His coat of arms … with thir words Readdy ay Readdy 15.. Clar. ii 1080.
When that he was all readie and at poynt c1600 Montg. Suppl. viii 17.
At all hour I salbe readie(d) 1544 Misc. Maitl. C. IV 103.
What service your majeste will command me with [I] sall be ridde to the uttirmest of my powr(2) 1424 Edinb. Chart. 213.
Our bodijs … altyme salbe redye at yhour noble comandement a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1294.
Quhare euer ye found or fair, be firth or be fell, I sall be reddy at your will a1500 Bk. Chess 1564.
That gold and gud be redye at his will c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 228.
Fyue hundreth men Quhilkis wer to him obedient Reddie at his commandement a1570-86 Maitl. F. 66/28.
Sic beistlie men … Ay reddie at command, Quhat ewer thair wyffis dois thame demand 1571 Haddington Corr. 201.
Be youris als reddy at command, as I am hamelie to charge yow 1580–1 Waus Corr. 233.
Ye sall haue me ridde at command

b. Reddy of, prepared for instant action with. — a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 467.
As thou was louse, and redy of thy bune

2. Const. infin. a. In a state of preparedness, or having all preparations made.There is some overlapping with b below.(a) 1375 Barb. xix 453 (E).
Thai … stud redy to giff battaill 1398–9 Acts I 210/2.
Thair ansuer herde the consail sal be redy to iuge thair defautes ?14.. Ship Laws c. 20 (B). 1445 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
That he mak al his forsade men be redy rys … to the common defence of the cuntre 1456 Hay I 202/30.
He beand redy to geve the sacrament, thai strike on him 1457 Acts II 47/2.
And at the schirref … be redy … for the tyme of thar sitting till vndergang sik chargis [etc.] 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 25.
The schip is amast rede till depart(b) 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 1179.
Gif ony case hapnit till ane of tha, The tothir suld be reddie to supplie a1500 Henr. Fab. 1135 (Ch.).
Temptationis … Assaultand men with sweit persuasionis Ay reddie for to trap thame 1497 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 71.
Thair sall thai … fynd botis reddie … to have thame to the Inche 1531 Bell. Boece I 17.
He commandit … thame to be reddy to pas with him with careage hors 1549 Compl. 12/19.
Quhou beit that detractione be armit vitht inuy reddy … tyl impung ane verteous verk 1552 Treas. Acc. X 92.
Writtingis … to caus hym be reddy to pas to the divisioun of the Debatable land 1588 King Cat. Prayers 36.
The dragon with his mouthe oppin reddy to deuoire ws 1592 Laing MSS I 84.
We ar alse willing & reddie to plesour yow 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
The partie persewer compeared … and offered him reddie to persew 1603 Dundonald Par. Rec. 36.
Pet Lowrie … speirit … quhen thai vald be reddie to ga hame 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 301.
Reddye … at the sound of the drum … to mairche furth(c) 1560 Inverness Rec. I 45.
Ryde(d) 1661 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 9.
The Laird of Newhall enacted to be ready to insist

b. Willing; feeling or exhibiting no reluctance.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiv 5.
[God] is redy ay til resawe hyme That [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ii 1350.
Be ye ay … redy To thole yhoure fadyr byddyng ay 14.. Acts I 331/2.
That thai nocht do, na redy is nocht ay to do, richt and resoun [etc.] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 77 (A).
I am redy till amende 1456 Hay I 291/25.
Mankynde … ever is redy till excede in vicis c1460 Regim. Princ. 109 (Fairf.).
Cuvatys … euer is redy law to sell and by c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 320.
He wes ay redy for to ryn 1521 Edinb. B. Rec. I 206.
The provest ballies [etc.] … offerit thame redy till resist the kingis rebelles 1553–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 381.
Ye sall newyr hayff ane treuer man … nor redyer to obei your grace 1570 Leslie 84.
[James IV] offerit him redy to tak labouris to … compone [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II 154/13.
Quho salbe rediear to defend ȝow nor ȝour awin sister sone c1590 Red Bk. Grandtully II 135.
I sall be rede to do ȝou the lyk plesour 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 53.
Redey 1650 Ib. 603.
That are redey to perishe for that samen pretious treuth you fight for(b) 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 3252.
Of him he herde recorde That he was all-way reddy to concorde 1490 Irland Mir. I 22/30.
Forgiff ws our fautis … as we … are reddy to forgif [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 166/45.
I wes ay reddy all men to begyle 1531 Mill Mediæv. Plays 144.
Nontheles he was ȝeit reddy to except the said office 1535 Stewart 49386.
Seruandis … That reddie war ay for to tak his part 1549 Compl. 145/11.
The pepil var as reddy to drynk vattir in ther bonet … as in ane glas c1552 Lynd. Mon. 804.
Quhat plesour mycht ane man haif more Nor haif his lady hym before … Reddy to serue his appetyte 1567 G. Ball. 115.
The Lord is … Slaw to reuenge, and to forgiue reddie 1570 Sat. P. x 371.
Sober he wes … , Reddy to heir quhen ony man spak to him a1578 Pitsc. I 194/19.
The nature of thame is evir reddie to tak siluir of baith the handis and quha that will gif thame maist thay will be thairis a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. 52/52. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 2, 3 (T).
All reddie shall I be quhill lyf may lest All reddie evir sorrow to sustene 1625 Justiciary Cases I 32.
We deny the samyn and sall euer be reddie to present our selffis to tryell thairupoun(c) 1522 Melville Chart. 62.
I salbe reidy quhen I am chargit to tak [etc.](d) 1580 Rep. Menzies MSS 18.
Ane tailȝeour … readie to wirk to euirrie persoun for his leving 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 78.
And is readie to haymhald the samine to proue it to be his awin haymhald proper beast 1698 Orkney Rentals App. 70.
The magistrates … were now readie to call another minister to supplie the vacancie

c. Apt, disposed. — 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 24.
With hand reddy to murthour, mynd to dissaif Id. Detect. (1727) 161.
Reddy ar we to imbrace evill, as reddy as herdis to ressaue fyre

3. Const. infin.: (As a result of some existing condition) likely or liable to (for to) act or react in a way specified. 1375 Barb. vi 253 (E).
A gret stane … That … Wes lowsyt redy for to fall a1400 Leg. S. vii 300.
Rycht as the ȝerde suld tremyl al, Mak all werkis reddy to fall c1420 Wynt. iii 763.
Amang a pak off karlynys loud Flytand redy for to fecht a1500 Henr. Fab. 2940 (Bann.).
Quhyle plungit vp and doun Ay in to perrell, and redy for to droun Id. Test. Cress. 515.
Ane sweit and trimbling Him tuik, quhill he was reddie to expyre a1500 Seven S. 2655.
The scho ravyn … left the ȝoung bird in the nest Redy to de for falt of fude c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 203/5.
All is bot tynt or reddy for to tyne Nocht using it as it suld usit be 1513 Doug. ii viii 46.
We pyke … Round al about quhar the ionyngis war worn, Reddy to fall 1549 Compl. 1/11.
Affligit pepil quhilkis ar al mast disparit of mennis supple, ande reddy to be venquest

4. Followed by a dependent phr. introduced by a prep. a. Prepared for (to (till) a certain activity or kind of behaviour); inclined or disposed to; obedient (to, till the wishes of another).(1) c1420 Wynt. v 3812.
God … is tyll mercy Than till wengeans mare redy 1456 Hay I 49/10.
The Romaynis ar … redy to the flicht quhen thai ar wele contred 1490 Irland Mir. II 14/7.
God is euir reddy to our help and suple 1531 Bell. Boece I 80.
The Romanis … swift of rink, and reddy to every kind of jeoperde 1533 Boece 329b.
His appetite was euer reddy … to wyne 1533 Gau 66/19.
Our body … is alsua redy to sine 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II 141.
Thai … salbe reddy to all seruice, baytht peace and weir 1608 Inverness Rec. II 57.
Ane ithand [ed. itchand] drunckert, … reddie to evill doinge(2) c1420 Wynt. vi Prol. 33 (C).
The pape our fadyr is spiritualle … we ar … reddy ay til his biddynge a1500 Seven S. 2401.
Ay redy till his plesans Scho hantit at his governans

b. Prepared, or made ready, for an activity, process, etc. 1513 Doug. ix iii 194.
Hald ȝou reddy for the batale ay 1532 Treas. Acc. VI 106.
That all men … suld be reddy … in fensable maner for weir 1549 Compl. 42/14. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 396.
Maister Talbart … [had] no maner of geir to borrow, … Bot was ay reddie for the feild 15.. Clar. i 376.
On horse armit redie for tornay 1578 Edinb. Test. VI 109.
Fyne quhyt woll reddie for the lit fat 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 46/2.
Sa to liue as ye maye euerie houre of youre lyfe be readdie for death 1606 Dunblane Test. III 103b.
Quhen scho is reddie for mariage & at hir perfyt aige 1637 Galloway P. 19 May.
Foulis reddie for the libbing yeirlie

5. Prepared, having reached or been brought to a point of preparedness for a particular purpose or occasion. Also const. infin.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 776 (C).
Hys clothes … he fond redy c1420 Wynt. i Prol. 115.
Few wrytys I redy fande That I couth drawe to my warande Ib. vii 59.
Thi wapnys ar scharpe, and mare redy Than ony in to this sted hawe I 1513 Doug. i vi 99.
The schippis that on cays war reddy thar Thai tuke 1533 Boece 189b.
He ran to ane lang fad, quhilk at all aventure he had reddy apoun the coist a1540 Freiris Berw. 186 (B).
The supper wes reddy 1549 Black Bk. Taymouth 188.
Jhon Menȝeis hous sall be reddy with mete and drynk and wther necessaris 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 232.
Thay … had brocht thair werk reddy to the lair 1574–5 Haddington Treas. Acc. 23.
To get word quhen the myllstane would be reddye 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 115.
Is the meat ready yet?(2) 1399 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 42.
The qwilk hundir ponde the said religious men … sal redili resafe … qwat tyme that it be redi to be payd a1500 Henr. Fab. 1859.
His nettis he hes set full priuely Reddie to draw 1513 Doug. iv x 88.
The … blesys of hait fyre, Reddy to byrn thi schippys 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 18.
Your capitan … hes … arrestit my beyr that was in the manis … rede till hef bein sald 1548 Stirling B. Rec. I 54.
Als sone as hir new aill is reddy tobe cunnit 1567 G. Ball. 96.
[They] sall draw thair birnist brand, And haif thair bow bent reddy in thair hand, For till slay the … innocent 1584 Waus Corr. 313.
The best halk that is can nocht be reddy to tak af hir blok afoir the last of this moneth

b. Also reddy till (a person) or reddy to (a further stage of construction). c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 11/131.
To keip the hous … Ay reddie till our Salvatour, Quhill that he come — 1685 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 350.
[To build] tua kiple of an sufficient barn reedie to the theeking

6. Having the quality of being willing or eager; prompt or quick. Chiefly attrib. c1420 Wynt. v 2984.
That Sylvestyr that wes … mast redy Off answere 1513 Doug. ix v 55.
Sa bald reddy breistis gevin haue ȝhe To thir ȝongkeris a1568 Scott i 146.
Reddie ressauaris, bot to rander nocht a1585 Maitl. Q. 204/111.
Ane freind I want … Quho wes ane reddye scheild 1624 Brechin Test. IV 175.
For eschewin of ony question may result efter my deaythe … I remowe the occasion tharof that I may be reddiar & heamliar with my Godproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 910.
Ye have a readie mouth for a ripe cherrie

b. Characterised by alacrity, willingness of performance, etc. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xxvi 41.
For the spirit is reddie [P. redi; L. promptus], bot the flesch is seek 1533 Boece 183b.
Origines … quhais ingyne was repute sa agill and doctrine sa prompt and reddy, that vij wretaris … mycht skantlie suffice to resaue his dytement 1540 Lynd. Sat. 777 (B).
Freiris will reddy entres gett, Quhen lordis ar haldin at the ȝett a1568 Scott vi 19.
Scho suld my serwyce find als reddy As [etc.] 1600 Crim. Trials II 286.
Yowr … bund man to obey and serve vith efauld and ever redy seruise 1627 Orkney Rentals iii 8.
A lawfull heiring and a tymous and readie dispatch 1633 Acts Sederunt ii 46.
To elude the readie execution of … decreets [etc.] 1640 Mouswald Kirk S. 1 July.
They shall give readie and reall obedience 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 243.
Ane paire of spures, … embleames of reddie service 1659 Irvine Mun. 84.
Servants … for the deutifull eufauld and reddie serving of the inhabitants

c. Happening quickly or easily. 1456 Hay II 126/2.
Thai sall fynd grete scathe and redy takyng of sekenes

d. Of fuel: Quickly or easily combustible.The first quot. may belong in sense 7. 1546 Acta Conc. & Sess. MS XXIII 151.
Tua dawerkis of petis reddy elding 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 177.
When any house … doeth … take fyre the wholl tenement is in a short tyme destroyed … the dry timber being a reddie fewall

7. Immediately, or easily, available (to someone); to hand; convenient. a. predic. Freq. in the phr. to have reddy.(1) 1400 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 49.
Be cause that I had na seal redy of my awyn I [etc.] 1494 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 68.
That … all and sundry … inhabiters … fra this tyme furth haif reddy into thair buithis besyde thame thair defensabill geir 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 480.
Swa thow haue myne acquittance reddye 1532 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 67.
He refusit … to gif the copy thairof … allegeand he hed nocht copy reddy thairof a1538 Abell 42b.
Ilk ane suld haif his digair in his sleif reddie 15.. Clar. iii 1046.
He had … ane port readie … to ische upon his fone 1565 Edinb. Univ. MS La. iii 388a fol. 5b.
That everie partie do laufull diligence … to haue his aduocattis redie at the day of comperance 1623 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 142.
To … have materials … riddy and big the said gavill(2) c1420 Wynt. viii 2956.
Before hym wryttyn he redy fand That in Kyng Dawys days ware dwne a1500 Seven S. 2389.
Scho said schir lo it redy heire a1538 Abell 70b.
The rasone of that is redy for God [etc.] 1616 Laing MSS I 147.
That yow prescryve … the ordour quhich yow sall find most meete and reddy to repair all necessar defectis 1629 Justiciary Cases I 103.
That chyre was the reddiest and that passage the nerrest(3) 1513 Doug. vii i 164.
Lyppin nocht in ȝon allyance reddy at hand, Tobe thi mawch sal cum ane alienar a1570-86 Maitl. F. 236/30.
Thai will be reddy at thy hand belyff(4) 1429 Acts (1597) i 21.
Out-takand the waters of Solway and Tweede, quhilkis salbe reddie to all Scottes-men all times of the ȝeir [etc.] a1500 Bk. Chess 616.
Scho wald erar the siluer … Suld in a purs be redye till his hand 1513 Doug. iii ii 107.
For Idomeneus the kyng Was by the pepil expellit … , The lugyngis voyd and reddy to thar fays 1536 6th Rep. Hist. MSS 704/2.
That the ile and loch … salbe reddy at all tyme to thame baith, makand the expensis equaly betuix thame

b. attrib. Freq., chiefly superl., of goods, crops, rents, etc., esp. when any of these is made the subject of an order of distraint or the like. Only Sc.(1) c1420 Wynt. ii 516.
Is nane so redy craft no chawnce Off [auld] kyn newe to fynde, Than to cast stanys fast behynde c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 333.
A irfull and a sturtand [man] … makis reddy dyscord 1513 Doug. iii viii 45.
Grant our vayage ane esy and reddy wynd 1535 Stewart 44046.
At Ptolome ane reddie port tha fand a1538 Abell 26b.
Hadrian gart big ane … dike … at the Scottis and Pichtis suld nocht haif reddy passage in thare bowndis 1558–9 Statut. Sc. Ch. 158.
The kirkmen usis to … debar men and women to cum to the reddy using of the sacraments … quhile [etc.] c1575 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxvi.
I haif reddy occasion to be angry wyth you 1677 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 182.]
[That it may serve for a ready direction; like the names affixed to the apothecaries' pigs(2) 1496 Acta Conc. II 26.
The sade Edward sal be payit of the saide soume … of the erest and redyest gudis of the next justice aire 1500 Buccleuch Mun. 106.
Tha ȝe incontinent, efter the secht of thir owr lettres, … mak penny of his rediast gudis 1511 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 13.
The balyeis to … prys and mak paymand of the redyest guidis thair beand 1533 Bell. Livy II 157/16. 1545 Reg. Privy C. I 14.
The reddiest money that may be gottin for the casualite 1550 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 606.
[To pay Mark Ker £240 yearly] out of the readiest fruits 1557 Peebles B. Rec. I 241.
[To] tak the reddyest of thair geyr and guddis to big the said heid dykis with 1562 Old Dundee II 186.
To tak the readiest timmer in the new tolbuith 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 23.
Poind … the reddiest gudis … to the avale and quantitie of the taxatioun 1572 Peebles B. Rec. I 343.
Ane new port to be biggit … of the reddyest tymber 1574 Conv. Burghs I 29.
Provyding alwayis that the … rediest of the said extent be wairit vpoun the outred of the saidis schippis 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 221.
[£56 10 s. 7 d. yearly] of the reddiest penny maill and gersum [of … Thankertoun] 1582 Old Ross-shire I 108.
Delyverit … of the reddiest fish slain … thrie salmond fishe 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 539.
Grantis to the … reparatioun of the kirk … ane competent number of the reddiest and lowsest staynis of the hospitall 1608 Stirling Merch. Guild 27.
Of thair reddiest money twentie punds money 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 123b.
Officiares of armes … to passe … poynd and distreinȝie the reddiest cornes, catell [etc.] 1611 Brechin Test. III 159.
His spous to tak alsmekill of the reddeist frie guidis … as will suffice 1659 Edinb. Test. LXIX 240.
Hir boord clothes … to be payed … out of hir aune first and reddiest means(b) 1557 Inverness Rec. I 6.
Onder the pane of pundyn of thair rydiest gudis and geyr 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 130 (26 March).
Riddiest(3) 1623 Brechin Test. IV 105.
Of dryid malt reddie tuentie bollis 1627 Dumfries Test. Ia 140.
Ten bollis of riddie beir pryce of the boll x libis

c. absol. as noun in superl. Cf. b above. 1513 Aberd. B. Rec. I 83.
To gathir … xlij lib. … of the rediast of thar watter malis … quhar it may be erast gottin 1526 Reg. Privy S. I 545/2.
Pensioun … to be pait to him ȝerlie … of the reddiest of our soverane lordis casualiteis and cofferis 1542–3 Ib. III 19/2.
Of the reddiest of the custumes of … Edinburgh 1552 Reg. Privy C. I 130.
xx lib. to be providit of the reddiest of his landis and guddis 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 227. 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II 177.
Of the first and reddiest of the same thre monethis payment [etc.] 1585 Acts III 403/1.
Our said collectour generall [etc.] … to … mak thankfull payment … of the said sowme of the riddiest of thair intromissioun this present ȝeir 1590 Edinb. Test. XXII 231b.
He ordanis his eldest dochter to be furtherit with the first & reddiest of his guidis, geir and dettis 1596 Stirling Chart. 220.
Reddeast a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 66.
To mak pennie of the reddiest of the cornes, cattell and uther gudis a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 69.
That his majestie's neccessities be supplied by the readiest of quhatsomever dewties [etc.] 1633 Old Ross-shire I 33. 1641 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 157.
The rediest [pr. redrest] of thair said husbands' rentes 1665 Kingarth Par. Rec. 38.
To uplift the penalties … and that he pay himself of the first and rediest for his service

8. Of money: Immediately available as currency, having the form of coin; in cash.To mak reddy penny of (something), to obtain the cash value of, to sell for cash.See also Reddy mon(e)y.(1) 1451 Acts II 40/2.
That na catal be sauld in Ingland … bot for redy gold 1476 Fam. Innes 82.
Aucht score of merkis … pait til ws in reddy pennis 1489 Treas. Acc. I 145.
Laide downe in redy siluer for rybbanis to the king 1546 Goudie Shetl. Antiq. 145. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3774.
[He] offerit him ane pund of reddy gold 1586 Edinb. Test. XV 287.
Of reddy siluer tua merkis 1596 Misc. Bann. C. II 219. 1598 Ferg. Tracts xxv.
In pois of reddie gold … [£118](2) 1538 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 88.
That thai appryse the guidis to be poyndit … and mak reddy penny thairof for payment to be maid

9. Of a payment: Immediate, not deferred; prompt. c1420 Ratis R. 1002.
Fore merchandice wald … By and sell with reddy pay a1500 Henr. Fab. 1256.
The scheip … bocht the breid and to the doig couth mak Reddie payment 1545 Reg. Privy C. I 15.
To poynd and dystrenye for the said rest [sc. of tax] and mak reddy payment thairof within xlviij houris 1545 Liber Coll. Glasg. 224.
We pray yow effectuouslie that ye cause mak thame reddy payment c1580 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 116.
[The bailies would] interpone thair authoritie ordinar quarterlie, for reddy paiment to be made

10. Of a way or path: Straight, direct; conveniently on one's route. 1375 Barb. xvii 555 (E).
Furth gan thai ga Towart Mytoun the redy [C. reddy] way c1420 Wynt. viii 4650.
Thai Fand in the wode a redy way a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 310.
The roy … To Rome tuke the reddy way a1500 Henr. Orph. 249.
Ay he fand stretis and redy wayis 1513 Doug. v iv 100.
Mynestheus … The reddy way held our the fludis chyll 1535 Stewart 55003.
Douglas … To Beruik efter tuke the reddie way c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3020. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 935.
His ane sone, with all haist … Was cumming hame on hors the reddy way 1567 G. Ball. 134.
Schaw me the path and reddy way In at thy dure for to go 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 57.
[They] raid the reddie way to the Inglis trinschis — a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xlviii 127.
Vnto the Rhods we saild the redy way(b) 15.. Clar. ii 7.
Ane brig with pilleris wight, Whair that on bread ane man micht pas furth right, By quhilk to thame was no readie way

b. Also of way (gait) = means. 1533 Boece 122b.
Lang experience and vse in were … dressit ane reddy way to victorie c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2622.
Quhilk techeit ws … Tyll rycht prayer, the perfyte reddy way a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 116/9.
Is it nocht ane reddy vay to confund our hail fayth? 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31. 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 459.
Quhilk doutles were the reddy gait The Kirk of Christ for to debait a1578 Pitsc. I 34/12.
Ane redy way to cause himself … be dispytit 1593 Acts IV 21/2.
His maiestie … knawing na reddear meane and way to sustene the expensis … and les hurtfull to the leigis [etc.]

II. In the verb phr. to mak reddy.

11. reflex. To prepare (oneself).Const. infin., for (an eventuality) and without const.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1187.
Tharfor mak we ws redy tyt Hyme … to visidte c1420 Wynt. vi 2097.
As thai wald thame redy mak For thare fadyre dede to take Revengeans 1456 Hay I 15/3.
[They] maid thame all redy to blawe 1549 Compl. 67/31. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 588.
That euerie lord … In best array to mak thame all reddy With fair fassoun to meit that ȝoung lady(2) c1475 Wall. iv 482.
To tak him in thai maid thaim redy ford(3) a1400 Leg. S. iii 547.
Mak ȝou redy that ȝe ma Cum to the joy that lestis ay(4) a1500 Seven S. 2460.
The stewart … Gat wp and maid him sone redy 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 302.
I sall maik me reidy agan your lordship ourcuming a1578 Pitsc. I 229/13.
Lat the gounnaris … make thame redy with their lyme pottis [etc.]

12. tr. To prepare (a thing or animal); to prepare (persons) (to follow, or ? for, a course of action).(1) a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 95.
Syne of ferlyis … wrocht Be hir … lefit I nocht Til I had mad thaim redy c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2244.
Eneas … His schippis redy maid but hone a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 737.
Thay renkis maid reddy All geir that myght gane c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxiii 24.
Mak ye reddi ane hors 1530 Aboyne Rec. 63.
[To] graithe, clenge, and mak reddy all the artailȝery 1549 Compl. 42/2. 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I 58.
And … that ȝe mak the … lodgeing reddy for our … ressait and remaning 1655 Glasgow B. Rec. II 315.
That twa or thrie of the foirmest furmes … be maid readie(2) ?a1450 Florimond 174.
Philip gart mak … his folk reddie that suld fair 1513 Doug. i vi 95.
Dido … For hir departing falloschip reddy maid 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 41.
I sall do the best … to mak the cuntreth men rede to defend aganis oné invadouris 1595 Cal. Sc. P. XII 16.
[That he be employed to make the other] stark reddy [for his pursuit]

b. specif. To prepare (food) for consumption; to cook.Appar. only Sc. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1027.
Ryse, and gar mak our denner reddie 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 5.
Brothes … quhilk scho … wes makand reddie to … the werkmen … to thair meit 1606 Aberd. B. Rec. II 281.
That na tavernar nor hostilar within the samen mak onie flesch reddie during the said tyme of Lentrone 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 156. 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 5 July.
Scho … anserit … that scho wes makand hir awin kaill reddye 1654 Dunferm. Kirk S. 43.
There was meat making reddie … to the Inglishers

13. absol. as intr. To make preparations (to do something).The quot. from Barb. may be another instance of 12 above. 1375 Barb. xix 718 (E).
Thai tursit harnays and maid redy Swa that [etc.] 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. i 210.
Se … accingunt, to mak ready a1578 Pitsc. I 252/20.
The King of Ingland was makand redy … witht ane greit airme and navie of scheipis to pase to France

III. comb. 14. Preceding a past participle or participial adj. to indicate or emphasise the completeness of the process or condition referred to by either of these.Common in the phr. reddy … boun.Only predic.(1) 1375 Barb. v 387 (E).
[Douglas] fand the mete all redy [graid] ?1438 Alex. i 880.
Thay war … All reddy semblit for to ryde c1475 Wall. viii 356.
Thair enemys, that was nocht redy dycht c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 14/45.
That thai [thy sins] be reddy prentit in thi breist 1513 Doug. v ix 44.
With arow reddy nokkyt Ib. x xi 124.
The entre reddy grathit weill thai fand 1515 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 157.
That all the nychtbouris … be reddy boddin for weir 1552 Breadalbane Doc. No. 84.
Reddy bodin to serife the said Collin … on hors & on futt 15.. Clar. iv 175. 1567 Melville Corr. 7.
Gif the schone be nocht reddy maid, caus send thame with sum vthir eftir 1570 Leslie 196.
That the people … wald nocht be so reddy bent to come forduart 1578 Edinb. Test. VI 109.
Reddie schippit to pas to Flanderis tuelf scoir scheip skynnis 1639 Urie Baron Ct. 82.
The maister of the myln … sall haue his myln redy pickit be fair day licht 1655 Acts VI ii 828/2.
Wrought silks, silks in gum and ready thrown 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 164.
Ane stand of new cloathes readie maid to put on him(2) c1420 Wynt. v 5568.
Till allkyne folys redy bowne c1475 Wall. vi 301.
Sekand Wallace he maid him reddy boune a1500 Bk. Chess 55.
Ane tavernare & ane officere … To rewle the cite that bene redy bowne 1513 Doug. vii viii 46.
With nokkyt bow ybent all reddy bown c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 723.
We be cum … reddie boun, To do ȝour grace plesour 1567 G. Ball. 235.
Thairfoir leif weill, be reddy bowne 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 363.
Schippis reddy boun to thair viage 1587-99 Hume 40/196.
Though all flesh to death were redy boun — a1568 Scott iv 84.
Moir gentrice is to jott Vndir ane silkin goun Nor ane quhyt pittecott, And reddyar ay boun

B. adv. 1. a. Willingly. = Reddily adv. 2. b. Without delay; quickly; without difficulty. = Reddily adv. 1.The second quot. from Rolland under b below may perh. be an instance of 8 above.a. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 714.
Quhou redy God of his grace tham wil tak, That wil thare synnis syne forsakb. c1460 Thewis Wysmen 373.
Thai wyll men reddy scorn & knak a1500 Seven S. 2196.
Redy, quod he, Couth thir sevyn bulleris slokinnit be 1557 Corr. M. Lorraine 409.
To satisfy your lordships plesouris, the reddear that we putt your lordshipis to daylye chargis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4268.
Ane reuin rewaird I get ay reddyest Ib. 6474.
This lady Fyue scoir florens of him suld haue reddy 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I 58.
To mak him ready ane instant paiment … of that sowme 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 38.
That the said collectour exact the said cesse … of … the said tennants of quhom he may have it readiest

2. Already. = Alreddy adv. 1533 Boece 198.
The victorie was reddy thare awne, gif [etc.]