Read"y (?), a. [Compar. Readier (?); superl. Readiest.] [AS. r&aemac;de; akin to D. gereed, bereid, G. bereit, Goth. gar�xa0;ids fixed, arranged, and possibly to E. ride, as meaning originally, prepared for riding. Cf. Array, 1st Curry.]
1. Prepared for what one is about to do or experience; equipped or supplied with what is needed for some act or event; prepared for immediate movement or action; as, the troops are ready to march; ready for the journey. "When she redy was."
Chaucer.
2. Fitted or arranged for immediate use; causing no delay for lack of being prepared or furnished. "Dinner was ready."
Fielding.
My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Matt. xxii. 4.
3. Prepared in mind or disposition; not reluctant; willing; free; inclined; disposed.
I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts xxi. 13.
If need be, I am ready to forego
And quit.
Milton.
4. Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of any kind; dexterous; prompt; easy; expert; as, a ready apprehension; ready wit; a ready writer or workman. "Ready in devising expedients."
Macaulay.
Gurth, whose temper was ready, through surly.
Sir W. Scott.
5. Offering itself at once; at hand; opportune; convenient; near; easy. "The readiest way."
Milton.
A sapling pine he wrenched from out the ground,
The readiest weapon that his fury found.
Dryden.
6. On the point; about; on the brink; near; -- with a following infinitive.
My heart is ready to crack.
Shak.
7. Mil. A word of command, or a position, in the manual of arms, at which the piece is cocked and held in position to execute promptly the next command, which is, aim.
All ready, ready in every particular; wholly equipped or prepared. "[I] am all redy at your hest." Chaucer. -- Ready money, means of immediate payment; cash. "'Tis all the ready money fate can give." Cowley. -- Ready reckoner, a book of tables for facilitating computations, as of interest, prices, etc. -- To make ready, to make preparation; to get in readiness.
Syn. -- Prompt; expeditious; speedy; unhesitating; dexterous; apt; skilful; handy; expert; facile; easy; opportune; fitted; prepared; disposed; willing; free; cheerful. See Prompt.
© Webster 1913.
Read"y (?), adv. In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need no delay.
We ourselves will go ready armed.
Num. xxxii. 17.
© Webster 1913.
Read"y, n. Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was supplied with the ready. [Slang]
Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law, or to clear old debts.
Arbuthnot.
© Webster 1913.
Read"y, v. t. To dispose in order. [Obs.]
Heywood.
© Webster 1913. | 
