ready English · revision 2522

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1200 (Layamon)|origins=gem-pro *(ga)raitha-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈred.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|redi]] (also [[m|enm|rædi]]), [[inh|ang|rǣde|t=prepared, ready]] (usually [[m|ang|gerǣde]]) extended with the suffix [[-y]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[gem-pro|*(ga)raitha-|t=arranged]],^(Etymonline) perhaps from [[ine-pro|*reidh-|t=to ride]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Klein thinks it first meant “prepared for riding”,^(Klein 1966) and Old English used it of a horse ready to ride.^(Etymonline) Its relatives include [[de|bereit]] and [[nl|gereed]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It is related to [[ride]], [[already]] and [[array]].^(Klein 1966)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Prepared, ready: Middle English ''rædi'', probably before 1200, in Layamon;^(Barnhart 1988) Old English ''rǣde'' is found before 899, in the translation of Bede.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “At hand, available” is from the late 12th century, and of money “immediately available” from about 1300,^(Etymonline) hence the slang ''the ready'', “cash”, from the 1680s.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Readily'' meant “willingly” before 1300, “quickly” before 1375 and “easily” about 1380.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Ready-made'' is probably from before 1425.^(Barnhart 1988) A ''ready wit'', quick and fluent, is from 1583.^(HTOED) The verb meant “to direct” before 1225, “to take aim” about 1300, and “to prepare” before 1338;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the OED notes it was rare from the 15th to the 19th century,^(Etymonline) and it is now chiefly North American.^(SOED 2002) ''Ready reckoner'' is from 1757, and ''at the ready'', of a soldier's gun, from 1837.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 899 – Old English ''rǣde''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1200 – ''rædi'' (Layamon).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 12th century – at hand.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – of money, available.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1338 – verb, to prepare.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1583 – quick, fluent.^(HTOED)

+ * 1680s – ''the ready'', cash.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1837 – ''at the ready''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Prepared for use or action.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Willing: ''ready to help''.^(AHD)

+ # Likely or about to do something.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+ # Quick in understanding or response: ''a ready wit''.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+ # Available, at hand: ''ready cash''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make ready; to [[prepare]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(at the ready)'' In position to be used.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # ''(slang, the ready)'' Cash.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[readiness]]

+ * [[overready]]

+ * [[rough-and-ready]]

+ * [[combat-ready]]

+ * [[readily]]

+ * [[ready-made]]

+ * [[ready-mix]]

+ * [[ready-to-wear]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[already]]

+ * [[ride]]

+ * [[array]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}