- rid
- c.1200, from O.N. ryðja (past tense ruddi, past participle ruddr) "to clear (land) of obstructions," from P.Gmc. *reudijanan (cf. O.H.G. riuten, Ger. reuten "to clear land," O.Fris. rothia "to clear," O.E. -royd "clearing," common in northern place names). The general sense of "to make (something) free (of something else)" emerged by 1565. Senses merged somewhat with Northern Eng., Scot., and U.S. dial redd. Riddance is attested from 1535.