I. ˈred transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English redden, from Old English hreddan; akin to Old Frisian hredda to save, Old Saxon riddian, Old High German hretten, retten to save, free, and probably to Old English hræd quick, rapid, fast — more at rathe
chiefly dialect : to make free (as from trouble or from another person) : deliver , rescue
II. verb
( redded or redd ; redded or redd ; redding ; redds )
Etymology: Middle English redden, probably alteration (influenced by redden to save, free) of ridden to rid — more at rid
transitive verb
1. archaic
a. : to clear (a passage) out : open , unblock
b. : unravel , disentangle
c. : to take (as combatants) apart
d. : to put an end to (a controversy) : compose (a difference)
2. chiefly dialect
a. : to set in order : clear of debris : neaten , smarten — usually used with up or out
redd up the bedrooms, get fresh flowers, dust — Jessamyn West
redd out the cabin — Conrad Richter
b. : to straighten out : arrange , settle — usually used with up
redd up the affairs of Europe — John Buchan
3. Midland : comb
redd the hair
intransitive verb
chiefly dialect : to make things tidy — usually used with up
stay and redd up … I want to leave things nice — B.A.Williams
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English red, from redden, v.
1. chiefly Scotland : an act of redding
2. chiefly Scotland : litter , refuse
IV. adjective
Etymology: from past participle of redd (II)
chiefly Scotland : cleared for a new occupant
leaves my premises void and redd — Sir Walter Scott
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : the spawn of a fish
2. : the spawning ground or nest of various fishes (as the salmon and trout)