raid
UK[reɪd]US[reɪd]
n
A sudden short attack by soldiers, police, or aircraft, especially one made without warning.
n
A surprise visit by police to arrest people or seize illegal goods.
v
To make a sudden short attack on a place.
v
To enter a place without permission, especially in order to steal something.
Etymology
The word 'raid' entered English from the Scots language in the late 15th century, specifically from the Scots verb 'rade' or 'raid', meaning a military expedition on horseback. This Scots term is a descendant of the Old English word 'rād', which meant 'a riding, journey, or expedition'. The Old English 'rād' is itself related to the verb 'rīdan', meaning 'to ride'. The core semantic thread connects the concept of a journey on horseback to a swift, aggressive military foray. Over time, the meaning broadened from a mounted military expedition to encompass any sudden, forceful incursion or attack, whether by military, police, or even civilians, as seen in its modern financial or data-related uses.
Analysis
The word 'raid' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, independent morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The commandos carried out a daring night raid on the enemy camp.
Police conducted a raid on the warehouse and seized a large quantity of stolen goods.
The children raided the refrigerator as soon as they got home from school.