Getting rid of something you don't want or don't like; removing or freeing yourself from something unwanted.
From Old English 'rīdan' (originally meaning to clear or make space), the suffix '-ing' makes it continuous. This is a Germanic verb that meant 'to make room' by removing obstacles.
In Old English, 'rid' literally meant to clear land for farming—you'd 'rid' the forest of trees—so 'ridding yourself of something' preserves the ancient image of clearing forest to make space for what you actually want.
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