Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RID, v.t. [pret. rid; pp. id. Sax. ahreddan or hreddan; D. redden; G. retten or erretten; Dan. redder; allied probably, to W. rhidiaw, to secrete, to drain, that is, to separate or drive off; whence riddle. See Class Rd, No. 63, 69.]

1. To free; to deliver; properly, to separate, and thus to deliver or save. That he might rid him out of their hands. – Gen. xxxvii. I will rid you out of their bondage. – Exod. vi.
2. To separate; to drive away. I will rid evil beasts out of the land. – Lev. xxvi. [This use is not common.]
3. To free; to clear; to disencumber; as, to rid one of his care. It is not easy to rid the sea of pirates. – B. Jonson. Resolv'd at once to rid himself of pain. – Dryden.
4. To dispatch. For willingness rids away. – Shak.
5. To drive away; to remove by violence; to destroy. Ah death's men! you have rid this sweet young prince. – Shak.