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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.

Ride, v. Also: ryde, ryid, ryed; rid, ryd(d; raid, rayd; reid. P.t. rade; raid(e, rayd(e; rad; rode, roid, road(e, rod; raeid, reid, rede, reedde, read; red(d; rid, ryd. P.p. rid(d)-, ryd(d)- and -in(e, -yn(e, -en, -ing, -an, -ne; ridd(e, ryd; reden. [ME and e.m.E. ride(n (Layamon), ryde(n (Piers Plowman); p.t. (sing.) ræd, rad, rade, rod, rood(e, etc.; (plur.) riden, rydden, rydde (Caxton); p.p. iriden, riden, ridden, yride, ride, rid, rode; OE rídan, p.t. rád, ridon, p.p. ȝeriden. Cf. ON ríđ.] To ride.

I. intr. With personal subject.

1. To travel or more about on horseback, also as if mounted on an inanimate object. Also proverb.To ryde at the poist, see Post n.² 4. To ride the post, see Post n.² 3.(1) pres. ?1438 Alex. i 212.
To the knichtis … He sais, ‘now ridis wittely’ 1449 Acts II 36/1.
That … officiaris … ryde bot with competent & esy nowmer 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 957.
The king was thus in rout rydand a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 558.
Glauis glowand on gleid, grymly thai ride c1475 Wall. iii 51.
This gud squier with Wallace bound to ryd a1500 K. Hart 131.
Hapnit this wourthy quene … Hunting to ryd, hir to disport 1535 Stewart 39115.
Semdill is sene, quhair euir men ryde or saill, Ane lamb to haif ane fraudfull fox[is] taill 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 297.
He is als scharpane man as rydis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 302/47.
A gritter theif did neuer ryd 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 81/19.
The king of Fary … With many elrage incubus rydand that nicht 1590 Reg. Morton I 169.
I am till ryd vpon Frydday to meit with the Erll of Huntlie 1600 Crim. Trials II 171.
Ȝe can nocht guess quhat erand I am rydand for! 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 15.
Marioun Or … to go thruch the parochin professing hir self to ryd with the fair folk and to haif skill 1623 Peebles Gleanings 17.
James Bullo, being ryding to Dallatho(b) 1516 Caldwell P. 53.
The said Johne … being ryedand … in quiett sober manerp.t. 1375 Barb. ii 153.
Dowglas … raid, and hailsyt hym in hy Ib. xvii 531. ?1438 Alex. i 63.
All the men of that cuntre Raid with hors, armit jolely a1500 Lanc. 749.
Raide a1500 Rauf C. 480.
That ryall array that Rolland in raid 1535 Stewart 59443.
Syne into tene he raid 1549 Compl. 63/25.
He raid on nycht vitht gyltin spur and candil lycht a1578 Pitsc. II 291/9.
Bot evirie man raid in feir of weir(b) c1420 Wynt. ix 3070.
Arayt wyth hir host scho rad [: abad](c) c1420 Wynt. viii 1038.
Nakyt … Scho rade, as scho had heycht beforne 1533 Boece 404b.
Eftir mony duchty actis he rade in vesying his realme(d) a1500 Colk. Sow ii 98.
The king Roid to vesy the boundis(e) a1500 K. Hart 134.
Hir baner … Wes sene abone thair heidis fayr quhair thai ryd [sic in MS; rh. gyde](f) c1590 J. Stewart 54/55.
As he pansiwe raeid(g) 16.. Hist. Kennedy 31.
Lap on … and reid all nychtp.p. 1375 Barb. xix 596.
His men … War ridyne [C. rydyn] in-till a raundoun a1540 Freiris Berw. 412 (M).
Ridding c1571 Strathendrick 158 n.
Ryddan a1578 Pitsc. I 325/20.
Ridin 1585 Laing MSS I 52.
I am ryddin to wesye him 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 217.
Heaving riddin … all day, I wachit … all that nightproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 655.
Never rade, never fell a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 762.
He that raid never, fell never Ib. No. 1347.
Seindle ryds tynis their spurris(2) a1605 Montg. Flyt. 269 (T).
On ane alhallow evin, Quhen our goode nichtbouris ryddis, … Sum buklit on ane bwnwyd [etc.] 1662 Crim. Trials III 608.
Quhan we wold ryd, we tak windle-strawes, or been strakes, and put them betwixt our foot(3) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9336.
Keip I jornay, thocht I ryde at the poist — 1574 Davidson Three Reformers 110.
They … would chuse out Some for to ride the post about

b. To go on horseback, as opposed to walking or running.Coupled with Rin v.¹: To roam; to go about unimpeded.(1) 1375 Barb. i 105.
Durst nane of Walis in bataill ride Ib. xv 40.
The barell-ferraris … Cumbryt thaim fast that ridand war c1450-2 Howlat 650 (A).
Robyn Redbrest nocht ran Bot raid as a hensman c1490 Reg. Panmure I xxv.
He beine rydand at the hwntes neir to the Grein Lawe of Brechine swddanlie become blind c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 181/11.
Oft falsett rydis with ane rowt, Quhen trewth gois on his fute abowt 1535 Stewart 56602.
Suppois he wes richt weill leirit to ryde 1635 Dickson Wr. 120.
Ofttimes he went on foot; and when he rode, it was on a laigh beast 1655 Old-lore Misc. V iii 130.
The Lord God road(2) 1375 Barb. xii 27.
Befor thaim all thar come ridand … Schyr Henry the Boune a1400 Leg. S. xix 104.
A gret menȝe he saw nere-hand Lyk [to] knychtis cume rydand Ib. xxxiii 212.
Come a knycht Ȝarne rydande c1420 Wynt. vi 1241.
It hapnyd a duk to cum rydand c1475 Wall. i 378.
Of the day x hours our couth pas, Ridand thar come … The lorde Persye c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 136/34.
Syne the Bruce … Thow gart as roy cum rydand under croun 1530 in Aberd. B. Rec. I xxxvii.
The watch … quhen he seis ony man cummand to the toun ridand 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6660.
Come throw the wod rydand ane vther knicht(3) a1500 Henr. Fab. 946.
Na reuand beistis nouther ryn nor ryde 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 47.
Lyke ane boisteous bull, ȝe rin and ryde Royatouslie lyke ane rude rubeatour

c. To depart on horseback; to take horse. a1400 Leg. S. xl 885.
Quhen he bone ves to ryde [etc.] 1456 Hay I 114/22.
The duk of the bataill … suld charge thame to ryde be ordre and ordinaunce hald a1500 Rauf C. 291.
Lat pay hir or we ryde For the worthie harberie a1500 K. Hart 460.
I may na langar byd … Lord … gif me leif to ryde c1500 Fyve Bestes 204.
And all at eis to morne son sall ȝe ryd c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 104/1.
Ȝour men said thai wald ryd And latt this fasterennis evin ower slyd Ib. 105/9.
Till heff riddin hed bein les ill Nor [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 775.
Gif that thay Thair jornay tuke, and raid that samin day

d. Followed by adv. phr., without prep., indicating speed, distance or duration of time. ?1438 Alex. ii 4081.
The furriouris … Raid vpone brydell ane huly pais 1596 Dalr. II 406/2.
Bot four myl scho had not ȝit ridne, quhen [etc.] a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xlviii 222.
Then to the Douns, vhair that we raid a space 1666 Jurid. Rev. XXIV 15.
I had ridine with them a milne or more c1679 Kirkton Hist. 65.
You might have ridde many miles

2. To ride on (apone) a horse or other animal, also, an inanimate object.(1) 1375 Barb. xii 18.
He raid apon a litill palfray Ib. 224.
On hors thai will arayit rid c1420 Wynt. vi 1109. 1456 Hay II 11/32.
A byschape … on a blak hors saw rydand This pape a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 895.
That berne raid on ane blonk a1500 K. Hart 436.
Ane auld gudlie man … Apone ane steid that raid full easalie a1508 Kynd Kittok 10 (Ch. & M.).
Scho met thar … Ane ask rydand on a snaill 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4494.
Thair is sa mony fulis Rydand on hors and sum on mulis c1552 Id. Mon. 3036. Pitsc. I 205/2.
On euerilk cameill raid ane knycht c1590 J. Stewart 227 § 111.
Glottonnie cam ryding on ane sow 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 133b.
Gif ane horse slayes ane man passand before him, with his forther feete, he quha is rydand vpon him sall be punished 1644 Black Cal. Witchcraft 929/2.
Mailie Paittersone read upone ane cat, Jonet Lockie read upone ane cock, and thy aunt … read upone ane thorne trie and thyself read upone ane bottell of strae 1663 Stirling Common Good 17.
For the wrong his horse got quhen the clerk read upon him — 1600 Misc. Maitl. C. III 104.
Everie ane of thame, rydand on horsback, cled with futmantillis(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 160/34.
Jonet the weido on ane bussome rydand 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 165.
Ye all dansit a deuilische danse, rydand on treis, be a lang space 1644 Black Cal. Witchcraft 929/2 (see (1) above).

b. To sit upon an animal's back or load in order to drive or be carried. Also proverb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2169.
With that the cadgear … Come rydand on the laid, for it wes licht a1508 Kynd Kittok 12 (B).
Scho … raid ane inch behind the taill 1519 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. 63.
They red behind thair fatheris bak on a horse quhen thay red … the mairchis 1538 Lynd. Justing 20.
Lyke cadgeris rydand on thare creillis 1610 Peebles B. Rec. I 359.
That nane raid [= ride] abone nor behind na laid 1673 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire I 497.
An ill-favoured … loun, that rade in the devil's sadleproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1843.
Ye ryde a geewise as Jok came fra the feast

c. To ride vpone ane tymber meir, = 10 b below. c1650 Spalding I 290.
Ane tymber meir qwhairvpone runnaget knaves and runaway soldiouris sould ryde

3. With various locative complements, chiefly to (towart, intill, in, etc., also furth of, etc. a person, place or event). Also fig. and proverb.To rid ner (a person),? cf. Riding vbl. n. 1 fig.(1) pres. c1420 Wynt. v 1106.
Till hys werys for tyl ryde Hys fute he hade in sterape set 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 96.
Quhay … inquirit me quhayr I was rydand a1570-86 Maitl. F. 68/67.
The lairdis and lordis rydis of the toun For feir of hungrit bakmen a1578 Pitsc. I 182/10.
The king … lape on his haiknay to ryde doun to the abbay 16.. Hist. Kennedy 37.
He lowpis on, … and rydis to the land(b) 1375 Barb. ii 290.
Then … may we … Ryd towart thaim rycht hardyly c1475 Wall. viii 981.
Sum baid ryd haym, sum baid ryd forthermar 1547–8 Corr. M. Lorraine 214.
I … sall ryd haym effter this woyage off Dunde 1565 Peebles B. Rec. I 300.
xij hoursmen to rid to the king 1600 Crim. Trials II 297.
His majesty, being in Falkland, wes ridding out to the hunting(c) 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 178.
And sum, to schaw thare courtlie corsis, Wald ryid to Leith, and ryn thare horssis 1633 Linlithgow B. Rec. 31 May.
[The] deane of gild to ryid to Edinburgh to borrow ane fuitt mantile(d) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 94.
Donalsonne that mette the sade Sanders rayden towart the Inglis menp.t. 1375 Barb. xiv 329 (C).
Toward Odymsy syne thai rayde ?1438 Alex. ii 4130.
He … Lap on and to his fallowis raid c1515 Asl. MS I 206/24.
Alexander … raid in the watter of Dowere quhill his hors fletit with him 1499 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 429.
The gret Lammyrhillok that the abbot raid fyrst to 1516 Treas. Acc. V 93.
Albany herold, quhilk raid with my lord governouris lettres to Lord Dacre to Carlele 1544 Sel. MSS Q. Mary 13.
And they lap onne … and rayd furth of Pebles a1578 Pitsc. I 272/12.
They raide in the feild and horssed the king 1595–6 Misc. Spald. C. V 63.
For our hors hyir … quhen we raid to the landimaris(b) 1375 Barb. vi 135.
And thai … Thringand in-till the water rad c1420 Wynt. vii 310.
The Kyng Malcolme rad to Tyne 1545 Corr. M. Lorraine 146.
George rad owt of Dowglais(c) a1400 Leg. S. xl 863.
The capytane … in-to Galouay rade c1420 Wynt. vi 1726.
Thai … Hame ilkane to thare awyne rade 1533 Boece 118b.
Vespasiane … rade incontinent to Caricton(d) a1578 Pitsc. I 249 h. of ch.
Hou the bischope red out of Rome to France 1603 Moysie 66.
The king red away to Burley 1605–6 Misc. Spald. C. V 133. 1628 Sutherland Bk. II 147.
They red to Edinburgh agetward thair out off this towne 1643 Dalyell Darker Superst. 27.
Our lord to hunting red(e) 1453 Misc. Spald. C. V 49.
Quhen he rede wyth a letter to the kountrollar(f) 1584 Crim. Trials I ii 117.
Mr. James reid bak agane to the said Erll of Angus(g) a1578 Pitsc. I 244 h. of ch.
Hou bischope Androw Forman rid to Rome(h) 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 602.
He read with a gaurd … to ane poure cottage(i) c1695 Anal. Scot. I 153.
Wee road post to London in six daysp.p. 1375 Barb. iv 45.
The queyn and als dame Mariory … ar ridin raith … rycht to the gyrth off Tayne Ib. xiv 326.
Scottis men that to the forest War ridyn for to mak thar rest Ib. xvii 256 (C).
Ryddin a1578 Pitsc. II 285/4.
The Erle of Mortoun had riddin with thrie hundreith hors to Neiddrie(b) 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 49.
And he is reden abak to Glasgow 1544 Ib. 72.
The lord of Kelmawris … rayd trew the west land, and es reden to England(2) a1400 Leg. S. iv 301.
On a bryge, as thai can ryd Our a wattyr c1420 Wynt. vii 153.
Bot throwch the kynryk all he rade 1428 Liber Melros 520.
And … syne rade about Petillishugh be the merkis and the meris a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 307.
Thai raid … Our the montains 1513 Doug. x xiv 138.
About Eneas raid he quhar he stude ?1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 54.
This mornyng George Dowglas is ryddyng by my place 1547–8 Treas. Acc. IX 155.
To ryd be land and caus mak bekynnis to the botis a1550 Tayis Bank 4.
Vndir the rys I red 15.. Dunb. App. ii 1. a1568 Bann. MS I p. 25/2.
Doun by ane rever as I red 1591 St. A. Kirk S. 714.
He reid up the Burn Wynd 1657 Balfour Ann. IV 113.
From Perth he red softlie throughe South Inchep.p. ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 280.
Collonel Gunne … was but ridd upp the river syde a little(3) 1375 Barb. iii 358.
The queyn furth on hyr wayis rade a1400 Leg. S. xxx 472.
Thu saw thi wyf cum rydand by c1475 Wall. viii 299.
Him to reskew full rudly in thai raid 1489 Treas. Acc. I 118.
For hors to thaim to ryde betwene 1513 Doug. vii xi 77.
Amyd a bus of speris in raid thai 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6927.
Furth he raid 1570 Sat. P. xxiv 65.
The Inglis men raid neir a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 52.
As he rayd out the hie way 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 270.
The deponent … red in betuixt them and separat them(4) 1534 Treas. Acc. VI 235.
Quhen he reid west to cule the cabillis 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii 19.
To keip gude reule he raid … Baith south and north 1573 Davidson Ib. xlii 981.
We … raid a lytill eist the bra 1621 Elgin Rec. II 165.
Read(5) fig. 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 163/6.
And ye ministeris in Scotland ryd als neir thame [sc. the Anabaptists] as ye may a1605 Montg. Flyt. 110 (T).
Thow art fleyit for ane luik, bot I sall ryd nar thé Id. Misc. P. xxviii 41.
The busteous blast … With watring wauis and huge Quhilk ramping ouer his rigging ryds(6) proverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 646.
He came hame mair fule nor he raid a feild

b. Appar., to move (down a rope) while seated astride of it. a1605 Birrel Diary 47.
Ane juglar … raid doune the tow and playit sa maney pavies on it

4. To make a charge on horseback; to ride against with hostile intent.Const. on, apon, agane (in contrare) a person, group or community, or amang one's foes.Also, once, to in ride (efter).(1) 1375 Barb. xvi 154.
So stoutly than on thaim thai raid … That off thar fayis a gret party War laid at erd Ib. 159.
Thar wes off speris sic bristing As ather apon other raid ?1438 Alex. i 3199.
Ather agane vther raid c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2123.
In hand he tuke a gret spere … And gan agane Assandrus ryd a1500 Lanc. 749.
If he … raide Enarmyt agane so few menye c1475 Wall. v 924.
Schir Jhon the Grayme, quhen he the cowntir saw, On thaim he raid 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 188.
That the said schiref had rydding & passit in contrare the said maister James & of his lyfe 15.. Clar. i 204.
Had not beine ȝour honour …, Ȝon knicht … had riddin on this contrie 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 186.
Gif it be thocht expedient … that any … personis dissobedient … be riddin on and invadit be fyre and swerd 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 316.
Ane proclamatioun … chargeing all and sindrie … to ryd vpone the thevis(2) 1375 Barb. iii 29.
And amang thaim rycht hardyly He rad, that he thaim ruschyt all ?1438 Alex. ii 10355.
The folk of Grece amang thame raid c1420 Wynt. viii 6233.
He … amang thame rade, And rwdly rowme about hym made(3) 15.. Clar. iii 1634.
Ȝe may ane buschment have a litill ȝow besyde That haistilie may efter them in ryd

5. To go on horseback on a raid or hostile expedition; to take part in a foray.Freq., const. in a place or with a particular leader or company.(1) c1420 Wynt. iv 566.
Cambises … rade it [sc. Egypt] throucht wytht gret powere Ib. viii 5105.
For wyth his ost as he rade, Gret wastyng in the land he made 1491 Acts II 227/1.
That na induellare … purches na out lordschip … to rout na rid nor pley at bar … in the oppressioun of his nychbour a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 404.
It cumis of kynde to thé … To ryde on nycht, to rug, to reve, and stele 1530 Paterson Ayr & Wigton I 91.
That na tenand … ryde rowt, or make service … in ony uthers lordships 1543 Reg. Cupar A. II 25.
To be reddy at all tymmis quhen he is chargit to ryde and mak seruice to the abbot 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 297.
Thar is not xxx in to it [sc. this place], and tha ar our few quhan the Scottis men ridis forth 1572 Sat. P. xxxii 47.
We … Dar not keik out for rebellis that dois ryde 1578–9 Reg. Privy C. III 107.
He … hes sindrie tymes riddin … to and fra in the cuntrie, … armit with jak [etc.] 1592–3 Misc. Spald. C. V 117.
Ane puir man … brocht newis that the Hieland men rade within aucht mylis 1606 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I 42.
Everie man that pleasis wearis gunis … rydis with jackis [etc.] … without controlment(2) 1405 Douglas Corr. 65.
Yhour men of Inglande has rydyne in Scotlande … like in fere of were, and has heryde Lawadyrdalle [etc.] c1420 Wynt. viii 5784.
The castelwartis … herde say, How ryddand in thaire land war thai c1475 Wall. vii 1105.
He chargyt thaim … in Scotland for to ryd c1515 Asl. MS I 206/27.
Thair was neuer Scottis man raid ferrare in Yngland 1550 Reg. Privy C. I 86.
That nane of thame tak upoun hand to ryde in Ingland or to mak ony perturbatioun thairintill a1578 Pitsc. II 107/25.
The Earle of Hartfurd … wowit … to ryde allis far in Scotland as Pinkie Feild a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 297.
Geve sumunbrydlit men of Johnestons had not hapnit to ryd a steiling … in the lands … pertening to the Lord Sanquhar(3) 1457 Acts II 50/2.
At na man … ride nor rowt in feir of weir with na man bot with the king 1496 Treas. Acc. I 300.
To xx gentil men that raid with the artailȝery … all the gait 1512 Elphinstone Mun. 190/2.
All tymes I salbe reddy to ryde with my said lord … exceptand quhen I am ewill disposit 1528 St. P. Henry VIII IV 506.
And cause the bordourraris ryd with me, giff I charge thame 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 45.
And that no man haue in his companie, rydand with him, men with speirs or archers with bowes throw the cuntrey

6. To ride in procession or ceremonially on a particular occasion. 1429 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXXI 145.
Ale to hors wachys that rade 1493 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 133.
Androw Barkare … was in amerciament of the court becaus he raid nocht with the Abbat of Bonay corde 1515 Ib. 140.
Quha that … riddis nocht he being warnit tharto be ane bailȝe … to be punyst 1566 Banks Sc. Cal. Customs I 121.
Adam Foulartoun … raid nocht with the prouest and the rest of the haill towne … about the townis commoun as vs is 1604–5 Hist. Fam. Seton 645.
The trumpeters quha raid with the guid toun to the meitting of my lord prouest 1600-1610 Melvill 781.
At that Parliament thai rayd royallie and prelat-lyk 1650 Nicoll Diary 20.
The king … ryding with his nobles and leaff-gaird … to the castell of Edinburgh 1670 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. II 44.
Ane of the baillies and six burgesses to ryd to the Lord Gosfoord's buriell a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) App. 32.
The burgesses ride first, the commissioners of the shires next; then the lords, viscounts, and earls in their robes, the last of whom do carry the regalia, the lion herauld with some heraulds and pursevants riding before the honours [etc.]

b. specif. To ride to or in parliament. Cf. 13 b below.Also, with parliament as subject.(1) 1609 Hume 170/106.
Ye were not aschamed to ryde to Parliament, magnifickly mounted and apparrelled, in ranck befoir monie of the nobilitie 1639 Declar. Tumults Scotl. 362.
They road in parliament and … made the said acts 1639 Acts V 249/2.
To ryde solemnlie to Parliament a1650 Row 223.
David Lindesay … and Mr. Johne Spotiswood … did ryde in Parliament as commissioners fra the kirk c1650 Spalding I 37.
The nobillis all in reid scarlet furrit roabis as thair vse to ryde in parliaments is(2) 1606 Acts IV 279/2.
The haill estaittis of Parliament will convene and ryd with thair honouris [etc.] 1632 Chron. Perth 33.
The 20 day, the parliament red 1661 Lamont Diary 130.
The parliament red and satt att Edinburgh 1663–6 Household Bks. Archb. Sharp MS 4.
To my lord in Inglische money the day the Parliament rod, £6 1672 Aberd. Council Lett. V 162.
It is uncertaine … if the samen [sc. parliament] shall ryd 1703 Foulis Acc. Bk. 323.
Seeing the parliament ryde out of the forstair

c. To ride in a tournament, to joust. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 28/16.
Ladeis … Requeist ȝoung men to ryd in ȝour leveray That for ȝour saik thai may breik twentie speiris

7. To ride or (and) gang (go). a. To go on foot or horseback; to do this in procession or ceremonially. b. To go with (a superior) on a military raid or expedition, or in his retinue.In sense b, common as a formula in the reddendo clauses of charters.a. a1400 Leg. S. xi 375.
Twa tygris … al that nere thame ȝed or rade, Thai slew Ib. xxv 8. c1420 Ratis R. 1338.
For than may thow baith gang & ryd, And ȝhit begyne to laik besyde 1424 Acts II 3/2.
That na man of quhat estate … he be of rydande or gangande in the cuntre leide … ma personis with him na may suffice him c1475 Wall. ii 364.
Haile he [sc. Wallace] was, likly to gang and ryd 1494 Loutfut MS 1a.
All the termes that the king ridis or gangis on fut or hors be it to the kirk or til his armes 15.. Dunb. App. x 13.
Fro ws … That hes no confort quhair that we go or ryd 1525 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 76.
That the alderman with the communite suld gang and ryd on fut and hors and vesye the common 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 151.
Then Falshead … me betaucht ane houshald for to gyde Callit Evill Cumpanie baith to gang and ryde 1555 Acts II 497/2.
That na man tak vpone hand to ryde or gang in thair nychtbouris cornis in halking or hunting … vnto the tyme that the samin be schorne 1591 Reg. Morton I 172.
It hes plesit God to visit me with ane extreme fyfher that I may [nather] reid nor gangeb. (1) 1477 Misc. Spald. C. II 252.
And we sal rid gang and labovre with him his freindis men and seruandis 1488 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 704/2.
And I sal ryd and gang with him quhen I am requirit befor all thaim that leff or dee may 1499 Misc. Spald. C. II 261.
At I sal ryd and gang with my said lord in peax and in weyr 1506 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 693.
To be all tymes reddy … to rid and to gang with him … to do leil and trew seruice 1523 Bk. Carlaverock II 460.
I sall ryd gang and be in were and in pece wyth my said lord and master 1527 Liber Melros 633.
Quhen euir we be requirit be the said venerabill fader … for the weill … of thair place sall ride and gang with thame and mak thame seruice 1529 Sutherland Bk. III 93.
And sall ryid and gang … wyth him and thame and tak thairis part anefaldly in all [p]lacis wythin the dioces of Cathnes 1532 Breadalbane Coll. No. 43.
Thai sall rid and gang and tak leile trew and anefald part with the said erll in all actionis erandis & querrelis 1548 Treas. Acc. IX 288.
Rydand and gangand with thame in all thair dedis 1549 Black Bk. Taymouth 187.
The said Jhone Menzies hes promyst … to baytht ryd and gang in heland and lawland witht the said Jhone Campbell quhen he beis requyrit 1573 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 35.
I and my foirsaidis … sall at all tymes heireftir following serve ryde and gang with the said lorde a1578 Pitsc. I 89/26.
Sum … wald nocht … tak pairt with him nor ryd nor gang with him nor be his man 1611 Red Bk. Grandtully I 111.
To ryd and gaing, nicht and day … with the said Sir William(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 98/8.
Ane fairar knycht … may nothair ryd nor gane Na beire … brand 1549 Compl. 100/11.
He mycht nothir ryde nor gang be cause he vas decrepit for aige 1551 Boyd Fam. P. No. 34 (10 March).
Sall tak uthiris afald part and sall ryde and gang and defend uthir anent the bruking and joising of the nyne markland of Schallochwrek a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 330/51.
Thocht I be sweir to ryd or gang 14.. Acts (1597) Table.
Ride and gang ilk man suld, with sa monie as he may susteine

8. To travel in or upon a vehicle drawn by a horse or other animal.Also, to ryd up or doun.(1) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 204.
As king royall he raid vpon his chair a1500 Bk. Chess 1893.
In his chair as he raid throw the land [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I 362/17.
The kingis dochter … was rydand in ane charrott 1663 Lamont Diary 208.
The forsaid Archbishope of St. Androus, who this weïke read throwgh Fyffe in coach(2) 1696 Glasgow Chart. II 265.
A steep hill, hardly (if at all) rydable, and utterly impassible aither to ryd wp or doun with double horse

b. To ryd in a rope, to be hanged. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 96 (H).
Go ryd in a rope for this noble new ȝeir

II. With inanimate subject.

9. Of a ship: To lie at anchor; to rest motionless in harbour. Also in fig. context. 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
Tha merchandis … leite hym wit qwar the schip was rydand 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 2886.
Ane place Quhare weill three hundreth schipis rydand was c1508 Ch. & M. Prints iib 61.
A toim scip ay ryding in a rok [Bann. rydand on a rok] … accordis nought 1513 Doug. i iv 25.
Perbrakit schippis but cabillis thar mycht ryde 1535 Stewart 56127.
Ane tow quhairon the schip than raid ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1961) 64.
Ane ile … with twa fair raidis in it … gude for mayne schippis to ride on anker 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 570.
In readines their ships at anchore roade 1617 Aberd. B. Rec. II 352.
Fromethe James, ridding at Erith, this 23 of January 1622–3 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 152.
Where thaye read at a anker all that nycht 1662 Highland P. III 5.
Remember in the night ye reedde at the back of Arran 16.. Admir. Ct. Form 65.
That no persone rydd by his nighbours wytter [= water]fig. a1568 Bann. MS 210 b/5.
My prettie pinnage … Som rakles roig may hasard hir to ryde … at ane ankler in the night

III. tr. With animate object.

10. To ride (a horse or other animal); to go or travel upon. b. To sit upon and manage (a person) as a mount. Also fig. and proverb.Cf. 2 above.The Dunb. quot. is also probably a punning allusion to 11 below. c1420 Bute MS fol. 170b.
Of ilk hors boucht & nocht rydyn gangand oute of the tone 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 665.
Fra Alexander him anis ryddin haid [etc.] a1500 Lanc. 1721.
And bid hyme that he rid hyme [sc. the horse] for yhour sak 1480 Acta Conc. I 60/2.
That the said horse was riddin efter he was pyndit 1494 Loutfut MS 31b.
That a barn … nwrist a delphin lang tym … quhill he rad him c1515 Asl. MS I 169/13.
Thar is tayne cocadrillis to ryde our watteris for thai can swym c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 127/48.
Quhen gillettis … riddin ar baith with lord and lawd 1674 Dundee B. Laws 61.
For those that rides horses especially in time of mercat a1700 Maidment New Bk. Old Ballads 14.
He rade ane ambling naigieb. 1492 Myll Spect. 278/29.
The quen … maid him [sc. Aristotle] to be sadillit and thaireftir with a brydill scho raid [pr. schorand] him lyk a hors c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 331.
I wald haif ridden him to Rome with [ane] raip in his heid a1538 Abell 9*b.
Prestis wyf in Ingland wes riddyn to Helfig. 1531 Bell. 1531 Boece II 269.
This man wil not obey my chargis, quhill he be riddin with ane mollet bridil: nochtheles, I sall gar him draw like ane avir in ane cart 1746 J. Row Sermon (c1750) 6.
Never a man durst rid her but the bishops, wha … hapshackled her [etc.]proverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1156.
Manie came to wow my dochter, but they sped riddin rough

b. To ryde the meir, to sit astride a wooden frame, see Mere n.¹ 2 b. See also 2 c above. 1650 Nicoll Diary 33.
Ane uther sodger [was] maid to ryde the meir at the Croce of Edinburgh, with ane pynt stop about his neck, his handis bund behind his bak … for being drunk c1650 Spalding I 295.

11. To mount for, or as for, copulation; to copulate with. Also proverb.In Sc., appar. only of animals, though in the quot. f. Dunb. human activity is the real theme. See also the note to 10 above and the quot. referred to.Cf. late ME ryd in this sense (Hoccleve Letter of Cupid 106). c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 112/6.
Ane tod … did hir [sc. a lamb] imbrace, And wald haif riddin hir lyk ane rame 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 135.
And keist thy wichecraft … in sic forme, that euerie ane of thame [sc. sheep] … raid wther contenvallie, quhill thay deid Ib.
[His] scheip siclyk raid ilk ane wthers, ran wode and furious, that na man durst luik on thame 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V 554. Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 70 (see Riding vbl. n. 5).
Margrat had nyne ky quhilk wes not ridin and ye said unto hir, ‘Give me almis and befoir this day aucht dayes ilk kow on your aught sall be riddin’proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS App. 127.
Ryde the yow quha will, the lamb salbe myne

IV. With inanimate object.

12. With cognate object: To travel on horseback along a road, way or stage; to go through, cross, a region, expanse of water by riding, etc.Also, to ride furth, out or down.(1) 1375 Barb. viii 152.
The messinger … Till his maistre the wayis raid a1500 Rauf C. 326.
Rolland and Oliuer come rydand the way 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 227.
Ane esie pais thay ryding furth the gait 15.. Clar. iv 2579.
Whill thay war riddine ane great pearte of the way 1575 Wemyss Corr. 74.
He menis … to ryid furtht his hee way to the ferrey a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 85.
He redd out the hie way(2) c1475 Wall. viii 447.
Sen he with wrang has ryddyn this regioun [etc.] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1111.
We raid the hill of Bacchus a1568 Scott ii 186.
He slippit swiftly to the slak, And rudly doun he raid it(3) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1117.
We raid the swift riuer Sparthiades 1531 Bell. 1531 Boece II 176.
This watter … micht not be riddin 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 338.
Haveing … interprysed to ryd that water on horsback 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 129.
Having taken horse and riden the water, I came to Amboise c1677 in Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 562.
He must ride the ford as he finds it

b. Of a horse: To make (a journey). 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 342.
Horses that are not able to ryd ther jurnies

13. To carry out (a task or duty) on horseback. 1539 Misc. Hist. Soc. X 29.
Gevin to Hob Ormiston to ryd erandis of the kingis grace 1546–7 Perth Guildry 240 (8 March).
Alexander Lyndesay to ryde to Striuiling the townys erand 1554–5 Ayr B. Acc. 122.
[For a horse] that wes tynt rydand the tounes affares 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 273.
The French army being in Linlithqw, raid ane forray about the same a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 898.
Ye ride a bootlesse erand

b. specif. To ride the parliament. Cf. 6 b above. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 13.
Thair was ane greit conventione of … lordis … and raid all the Parliament to the tolbuith 1604 Reg. Privy C. VII 2.
Act ordaining the Estates to attend the … commissioner, for ryding the Parliament c1639 Fraser Hist. Laurencekirk 61.
[The Parliament … was] solemlie riddin c1650 Spalding I 243.
The croune … had lyin there since he rode the parliament a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 741.
That neuer was there such a glorious Parliament holden or ridden 1660 Stirling B. Rec. I 233.
A foot mantle … for the towns comissioner to ryde the next parliament thairwith 1661 Stirling Common Good fol. 4b.
The night the parliament was ryden 1670 Aberd. Council Lett. V 39.
Bot the parliament is not ryd 1681 Hay Fleming Six Saints II 189.
The Scots Parliament sate doune, and was riden with great pomp and magnificence from the Abbay of Halyroodhouse to the Parliament House and back again 16.. Ouchterlony Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 25.
The first Parliament that was ryden in Scotland

14. To open, or celebrate, (an event, as a fair) by riding in procession. 1621 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 227.
[The council] ordanis Hallow evin to be riden and the nichtboures wairnit to that effect 1672 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1913) 53.
[The burgh magistrates … proceeded to] ryde the fair 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 132.
All which markets he usually did ride with a noble train at their proclamation 1701 Ayr Chart. 74.
With full power to them to cause proclaime and ryde the said one fair yearly