rid

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.

   I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.

2. 2
   verb

   Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).

   For the nature of the world is ſuch, that if any man rebuke the wickedneſſe thereof any thing ſharply, it ſéekes to rid them out of the way, too the intent it may ſinne the more licentiouſly.

3. 3
   verb

   Often followed by from, of, or out of: to free or release, or to rescue or save, (oneself or someone, or something).

   [Y]f there happen a plage of leproſy in any houſe of youre poſſeſſion, then ſhal he that ow[n]eth the houſe, come and tell the preſt, and ſaye: Methynke there is as it were a plage of leproſy in my houſe. Then ſhal the preſt commaunde to rydde all thynge out of the houſe or euer the preſt go in to ſe yͤ plage, leſt all that is in the houſe be made vncleane.

4. 4
   verb

   To clear (a place or way); especially, to clear (land) of trees, undergrowth, etc.

   The vvaies […] Trajanius repaired, by paving vvith stone, or raiſing vvith banks caſt up ſuch peeces of them as vvere moiſt and miry; by ſtocking up & ridding ſuch as vvere rough and overgrovven vvith buſhes and briers: […]

5. 5
   verb

   Sometimes followed by away: to destroy or kill (someone).

   This Gloſter ſhould be quickly rid the VVorld, / To rid vs from the feare vve haue of him.

6. 6
   verb

   Sometimes followed by up: to remove obstacles or refuse from (a place); to clean, to clear out; specifically, to clear or empty (the stomach).

   Come, lads, drink up your ale, and we'll just rid this corner, so as to have all clear for beginning at the wall as soon as 'tis light to-morrow.

7. 7
   verb

   Sometimes followed by away or off: to complete or get through (a task, or work).

   I Rydde buſyneſſe that I haue in hande I do it quyckly⸝ […] He is a quicke workeman he can rydde more worke in an houre than ſome can do in twayne: […]

8. 8
   verb

   Often followed by up: to put (a place, such as a room or a table) in order; to clear, to tidy.

   VVhen you rid up the Parlour Hearth in a Morning, throvv the laſt Night's Aſhes into a Sieve; and vvhat falls through, as you carry it dovvn, vvill ſerve inſtead of Sand for the Room and the Stairs.

Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle English ridden (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to complete (something unfinished); to free (someone or something); to relieve (someone); etc.”), probably from Old English *ryddan (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear”) (the past participle form ġeryd is attested), from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną (“to clear”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hrewdʰ- (“to clear land”), or possibly from *Hrew- (“to dig out, tear out; to open; to acquire”). The verb was probably also influenced by the following: * Middle English…