deed /diːd/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ do , ↑ outdo , ↑ overdo , ↑ redo , ↑ undo ; noun : ↑ deed ≠ ↑ misdeed , ↑ do , ↑ doing ; adjective : ↑ done , ↑ overdone , ↑ undone ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: dæd ]
1 . formal something someone does, especially something that is very good or very bad:
After the morning’s good deeds he deserved a rest.
She tried to strangle her baby and her lover helped her finish the evil deed.
2 . law an official paper that is a record of an agreement, especially an agreement concerning who owns property:
a mortgage deed
3 . in deed in what you do:
Everyone sins at some time, in thought if not in deed.
4 . your good deed for the day something kind or helpful that you do – used humorously
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THESAURUS
▪ action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
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They refused to give a reason for their actions.
▪ act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
| act of violence/kindness/defiance etc :
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
▪ activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
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political activities
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Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
▪ behaviour British English , behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
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The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
▪ move noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something:
Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.
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It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.
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He needed time to figure out his next move.
▪ step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
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We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
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This is an important step towards peace.
▪ measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
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The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
▪ gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
| gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance :
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
▪ deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
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heroic deeds
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This is my good deed for the day.
▪ exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
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His exploits were legendary.
▪ feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
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The bridge is a great feat of engineering.