rid

Where does the word "rid" come from? It comes from Old Norse rythja, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Rid’s story begins in Old Norse: rythja meant “to clear away.” Old English also had a related 'hreddan', to rescue. It reached English by 1300s as rid. Settled as the English word for freeing something of an unwanted presence. Today, rid means to free someone or something of an unwanted presence or burden.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval rythja "to clear away", Old English also had a related 'hreddan', to rescue.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s rid "to make someone or something free of an unwanted presence", settled as the English word for freeing something of an unwanted presence.