Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
REDD, adj., adv., v.3 Also red; rade, raed; rid(d).
I. adj. 1. Prepared, ready (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); eager, willing.Abd. 1787 A. Shirrefs Jamie & Bess iii. i.:
Or lang she winna be sae red to lack.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 99:
Now I'se be doon, wi' huthran fumle, As I'm aye unca redd to bumle.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxiii.:
Mony a roun' han' did the jauds play 'im — he's a saft gype — but Peter was jist as redd to gae back's ever for a' that.
2. Quick and skilful, as in working with the hands (Ags., Per., Slk. 1825 Jam.). Cf. Ready, adj., 3. Hence redd-handit, -han'd, id.Dmf. 1760 Session Papers, Jardine v. Corbet Proof 62:
“We could not readily have wanted Robert Thomson on Saturday and Sunday; for he is really a ridd clean-handed fellow, and fit for our purpose [to lead a mob to riot during an election]”. Alexander Douglas baker was likewise in the shop and said, “For as ridd-handed as he is, he is going to let Mr Malcolm out of the council-house”.Ags. 1819 R. Mudie Glenfergus I. xxv.:
An' a redd-handit cummer she was.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 26:
Rid-han'd, nae wark cam wrang to me.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 141:
He's a redd servan.
3. Fluent.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 83:
“A braw redd delivery,” said John, addressing me. “Are ye gaun to be a minister, too?”
II. adv. Readily, in phr. as redd — as, as readily — as, as soon — as (ne.Sc. 1967).Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 37:
I've got a rimfu at onyrate; I'd as raed rowe as rin.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 117:
Fegs, aw wid fyles as redd be sleepin' 's harkenin'.
