n.
Pronunciation: ' r ā d
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English (Sc) rade, from Old English r ā d ride, raid ― more at ROAD
Date: 15th century
1 a : a hostile or predatory incursion b : a surprise attack by a small force
2 a : a brief foray outside one's usual sphere b : a sudden invasion by officers of the law c : a daring operation against a competitor d : the recruiting of personnel (as faculty, executives, or athletes) from competing organizations
3 : the act of mulcting public money
4 : an attempt by professional operators to depress stock prices by concerted selling