Etymology Dictionary

READY,  dressed, prepared, prompt, near.  (E.)   M.E. redi, redy; spelt rædi, Layamon, 8651 (later text readi); rædiȝ, Ormulum, 2527.—A.S. rǽde, ready, Grein, ii. 366.   [In this instance the suffix -e was turned into -i by confusion with the A.S. suffix -ig (answering to M.E. -i, -y, E. -y); this may have been due to the influence of O. Swed. redig, plain, evident, clear, though this word is really from a different root, viz. from O. Swed. reda (= E. read), to explain.   The O. Swed. adj. reda, ready, is the right cognate word, connected with reda, to prepare.   So also Dan. rede, ready.] + O.H.G. reiti, ready; mod. G. bereit.   β. The Icel. greiðr (= ga-reiðr), ready, only differs in the prefix and suffix; so also Goth. garaids, commanded.   γ. These adjectives are closely related to Icel. reiði, harness, outfit, implements, gear, and to O.H.G. reita, Icel. reið, a raid.   We may look upon ready as expressing either 'prepared for a raid' or 'prepared for riding, equipped.'   All from a Teut. base RID (RAID), to ride; see Ride, Raid.   ¶ The use of ready in the sense of 'dressed' is found as late as the beginning of the 17th century.   'Is she ready?' = is she dressed; Cymb. ii. 3. 86.   Der. readi-ly, readi-ness, ready-made.