raid   
[reyd]
–noun
1.
a sudden assault or attack, as upon something to be seized or suppressed: a police raid on a gambling ring.
2.
Military . a sudden attack on the enemy, as by air or by a small land force.
3.
a vigorous, large-scale effort to lure away a competitor's employees, members, etc.
4.
Finance . a concerted attempt of speculators to force stock prices down.

–verb (used with object)
5.
to make a raid on.
6.
to steal from; loot: a worry that the investment fund is being raided.
7.
to entice away from another: Large companies are raiding key personnel from smaller companies.
8.
to indulge oneself by taking from, especially in order to eat: raiding the cookie jar.

–verb (used without object)
9.
to engage in a raid.

Origin:
1375–1425; Middle English (north and Scots ) ra ( i ) de, Old English rād expedition, literally, a riding; doublet of road

—Related forms
coun·ter·raid, noun, verb
un·raid·ed, adjective

—Synonyms
1. seizure. 2. incursion, invasion, inroad.


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