ridding

Variant of rid

rid definition

rid (rid)

transitive verb rid or ridded rid′·ded, ridding rid′·ding

  1. to free, clear, relieve, or disencumber, as of something undesirable: usually with of to rid oneself of superstitions
  2. Obsolete to save or deliver, as from danger, difficulty, etc.; rescue (from, out of, etc.)

Etymology: ME ridden, earlier ruden < ON rythja, to clear (land), akin to OE ryddan, OHG riuten < IE *reudh- < base *reu-, to tear up, dig out > rip, rug

rid Idioms

be rid of

to be freed from or relieved of (something undesirable)

get rid of

  1. to get free from or relieved of (something undesirable)
  2. to do away with; destroy; kill

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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