Rid, v. t.

[imp. & p. p. RID, or RIDDEN; p. pr. & vb. n. RIDDING.] [O. Eng. red, A.-S. hreddan, D. & L. Ger. redden, Dan. redde, Sw. rida, O. H. Ger. retjan, retten, N. H. Ger. retten.]

1Sense 1. To free; to deliver; to clear; to disencumber. “Resolved at once to rid himself of pain.” Dryden.

I never ridded myself of an overmastering and brooding sense of some great calamity traveling toward me. De Quincey.

2Sense 2. To separate; to drive away; to remove by effort or violence. [Rare.]

I will rid evil beasts out of the land. Lev. xxvi. 6. Ah, death’s men, you have rid this sweet young prince! Shak.

3Sense 3. To get rid of; to dispose of; to dispatch; to finish. [Rare.] “Willingness rids way.” Shak.

Mirth will make us rid ground faster than if thieves were at our tails. J. Webster.

To get rid of, to free one’s self from.