/rayd/ , n.
1. a sudden assault or attack, as upon something to be seized or suppressed: a police raid on a gambling ring.
2. Mil. a sudden attack on the enemy, as by air or by a small land force.
3. a vigorous, large-scale effort to lure away a competitor's employees, members, etc.
4. Finance. a concerted attempt of speculators to force stock prices down.
v.t.
5. to make a raid on.
6. to steal from; loot: a worry that the investment fund is being raided.
7. to entice away from another: Large companies are raiding key personnel from smaller companies.
8. to indulge oneself by taking from, esp. in order to eat: raiding the cookie jar.
v.i.
9. to engage in a raid.
[ 1375-1425; ME (north and Scots) ra ( i ) de, OE rad expedition, lit., a riding; doublet of ROAD ]
Syn. 1. seizure. 2. incursion, invasion, inroad.