raid

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raid / rād/ • n. a sudden attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces in warfare: a bombing raid. ∎  a surprise attack to commit a crime, esp. to steal from business premises: an early morning raid on a bank. ∎  a surprise visit by police to arrest suspected people or seize illicit goods. ∎  Stock Market a hostile attempt to buy a major or controlling interest in the shares of a company.• v. [tr.] conduct a raid on: officers raided thirty homes yesterday. ∎  quickly and illicitly take something from (a place): she crept down the stairs to raid the larder.DERIVATIVES: raid·er n.

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