Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Ready

Ready (red"y) , adjective

[Anglo-Saxon rade; akin to Dutch gereed, bereid, German bereit, Gothic garáids fixed, arranged, and possibly to English ride, as meaning originally, prepared for riding. Compare 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, though 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. — Shakespeare
7.
(Military) 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.
Collocations (4)
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. 'T is 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.

Ready (red"y) , adverb

In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need no delay.
We ourselves will go ready armed. — Num. xxxii. 17

Ready , noun

Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was well supplied with the ready. [Slang]
Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law, or to clear old debts. — Arbuthnot

Ready , transitive verb

To dispose in order. [Obsolete] — Heywood