ready

The word 'ready' originates from the Old English adjective 'rǣde', which conveyed a sense of preparedness and promptness. This term is deeply connected to the Old English verb 'rǣdan', meaning "to advise, to interpret, to read," suggesting an underlying concept of mental preparation or making arrangements. The semantic evolution saw the meaning shift from a general state of being prepared or arranged, particularly in a mental or advisory sense, to the more concrete and immediate sense of being prepared for action. It is a Germanic word, with cognates in other languages like the Dutch 'gereed' and the German 'bereit', all sharing the core notion of preparedness.

The word 'ready' is a simplex word derived from a single Old English root. Its core component is the Old English 'rǣde', meaning "prepared, prompt, ready," which is related to the Old English 'rǣdan', meaning "to advise, to read, to guess." The functional role is that of a complete adjective root.