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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Rid, Ridd, p.p. and ppl. adj. Also: ryd, ride. [Rid v. Cf. Red ppl. adj., 18th c. Eng. rid(-up) (1738).]

1. To be rid of, to be free, or freed, from some trouble or burden, or from a person. 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV i 117.
Ȝour friends had long or now bene ryd of this mortal lyff 1568 Buch. Indict. 33.
The quene … being ryd … of … hir laufull husband 1650 Brechin Presb. 49.
If the work [sc. witchcraft] goe on the town would not be ride whill Lammas, and that of the best and not of the worst a1651 Calderwood I 168.
If I can putt inimitie between these two, I sall be ridd of two great unfreinds

b. To make (a place) rid (of), to free of people or things; to clear. c. To make ridd of (a person), to get rid of, to dispose of. 1668 Laing MSS I 369.
For the way we incline to deal with them is, without making great nose or giveing thos peopel oportunty to stir up the compasione of the peopel or to glory in ther sufferings to mak the countryride of them 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 28 Feb.
The said John … to mak his boat rid and prepared without deley for the use of the said Mr. William Ewartc. 1688 Tryal Philip Standsfield 11.
He declarad … that he would shortly make ridd of him

2. Rid and vod, woid and rid, cleared of occupants; left vacant for (to) a new occupant. 1563 Dumfries B. Ct. fol. 190b.
[He] varnyt the said John Rogerson to ramvif & flitt fra the samin boytht at Vitsonday … loisit rid & vod of hym 1579 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 93.
The said Johne … to … leif the samyn woid and rid to the said William

3. ppl. adj. Cleared of crops. a1578 Pitsc. (1814) 499.
It was in ane fauch eard and rid land quhair they moved for the tyme 1628 Dundonald Par. Rec. 246.
He saw Robert Bowman fall on the rid land 1664 Galloway P. 4 Feb.
The rid land of ane quarter of the saids lands 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints I 113.
If the people of God would hold out of the gate, and give enemies a rid field