rede

alternative read

1. archaicdialectaluncountableHelp, advice, counsel.

   ‘Yet do not cast all hope away. Tomorrow is unknown. Rede oft is found at the rising of the Sun.’

   1954, JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers

   2 more examples

   Ophelia: Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, And recks not his own rede.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

   When the Bull heard these words he knew the Ass to be his friend and thanked him, saying, "Right is thy rede"

   1885, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume I, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC

2. archaicdialectaluncountableDecision, a plan.

present singular third person redes · participle present reding · participle past red · past red · participle past redd · past redd

1. UKarchaicdialectaltransitiveTo govern, protect.
2. UKarchaicdialectaltransitiveTo discuss, deliberate.
3. UKarchaicdialectaltransitiveTo advise.

   But let me rede you, marry not.

   1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Dead Spy”, in The Black Arrow

   1 more example

   The meane whyle his squyer founde wryten vpon the crosse that Bagdemagus shold neuer retorne vnto the Courte ageyne / tyll he had wonne a knyȝtes body of the round table body for body / lo syr said his squyer / here I fynde wrytyng of yow / therfor I rede yow retorne ageyne to the Courte / that shalle I neuer said Bagdemagus

   Meanwhile, his squire found written upon the cross that Bagdemagus should never again return to the court / till he had won a knight's body of the round table, body for body. / “Lo sir,” said his squire, / “here I find writing about you; / therefore I rede you return again to the court.” / “That I never shall,” said Bagdemagus.

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter V, in Le Morte Darthur, book IV

4. UKarchaicdialectaltransitiveTo interpret (a riddle or dream); explain.

   The secret of Man's Being is still like the Sphinx's secret: a riddle that he cannot rede.

   1836, Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus

1. A river in Northumberland, England, which joins the River North Tyne at Redesmouth.