Dictionary entry

Riding

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Rid″ing (rīd″ĭng), n. [For thriding, Icel. þriðjungr the third part, fr. þriði third, akin to E. third. See Third.] One of the three jurisdictions into which the county of York, in England, is divided; — formerly under the government of a reeve. They are called the North, the East, and the West, Riding. Blackstone.