ridding

Verb

rid (third-person singular simple present rids, present participle ridding, simple past rid or ridded, past participle rid or ridded or (rare, nonstandard) ridden)

1. (also, reflexive, transitive) Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
   • I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.

   Synonyms:

   deliver, disencumber

2. (also, reflexive, transitive) Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).
   • For the nature of the world is ſuch, that if any man rebuke the wickedneſſe thereof any thing ſharply, it ſéekes to rid them out of the way, too the intent it may ſinne the more licentiouſly.1569, Nicholas Heminge [i.e., Niels Hemmingsen], “The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according too the Order of the Storie, Compiled by Laying the Foure Euangelists Toogether. The Exposition of the...
3. (reflexive, transitive) Often followed by from, of, or out of: to free or release, or to rescue or save, (oneself or someone, or something).
   • [Y]f there happen a plage of leproſy in any houſe of youre poſſeſſion, then ſhal he that ow[n]eth the houſe, come and tell the preſt, and ſaye: Methynke there is as it were a plage of leproſy in my houſe. Then ſhal the preſt commaunde to rydde all thynge out of the houſe or euer the preſt go in to...1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Leuiticus...
4. (archaic, transitive) To clear (a place or way); especially, to clear (land) of trees, undergrowth, etc.
   • The vvaies […] Trajanius repaired, by paving vvith stone, or raiſing vvith banks caſt up ſuch peeces of them as vvere moiſt and miry; by ſtocking up & ridding ſuch as vvere rough and overgrovven vvith buſhes and briers: […]1610, William Camden, “Romans in Britaine”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […]...
5. (archaic, transitive) Sometimes followed by away: to destroy or kill (someone).
   • This Gloſter ſhould be quickly rid the VVorld, / To rid vs from the feare vve haue of him.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
6. (archaic, transitive) Sometimes followed by up: to remove obstacles or refuse from (a place); to clean, to clear out; specifically, to clear or empty (the stomach).
   • Come, lads, drink up your ale, and we'll just rid this corner, so as to have all clear for beginning at the wall as soon as 'tis light to-morrow.1872 September – 1873 July, Thomas Hardy, “‘To that Last Nothing under Earth’”, in A Pair of Blue Eyes. […], volume II, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], published 1873, →OCLC, page 266

See all 21 meanings of rid