Fusion of Middle English redden ("to deliver from, rid, clear") (from Old English hreddan ("to deliver, rescue, free from, take away"), from Proto-West Germanic *hraddjan, from Proto-Germanic *hradjaną ("to save, deliver")) and Middle English ridden ("to clear away, remove obstructions") (from Old English ġeryddan, from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną ("to clear"), from Proto-Indo-European *rewdʰ- ("to clear land").
Akin to Old Frisian hredda ("to save"), Dutch redden ("to save, deliver"), German retten ("to save, deliver"), roden and reuten, Old Norse ryðja ("to clear, empty"), Old Norse hróðja ("to clear, strip"). More at redd.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.