I. ˈdēl noun
Etymology: Middle English deel, from Old English dǣl; akin to Old English dāl division, portion, Old High German teil part
Date: before 12th century
1. obsolete : part , portion
2. : a usually large or indefinite quantity or degree
a great deal of support
a good deal faster
3.
a. : the act or right of distributing cards to players in a card game
b. : hand 9b
II. verb
( dealt ˈdelt ; deal·ing ˈdē-liŋ)
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to give as one's portion : apportion
tried to deal justice to all
dealt out three sandwiches apiece
b. : to distribute (playing cards) to players in a game
2. : administer , deliver
dealt him a blow
3.
a. : sell
deal s drugs
b. : trade
deal a player to another team
intransitive verb
1. : to distribute the cards in a card game
2. : to concern oneself or itself
the book deal s with education
3.
a. : to engage in bargaining : trade
b. : to sell or distribute something as a business
deal in insurance
4.
a. : to take action with regard to someone or something
deal with an offender
b. : to reach or try to reach a state of acceptance or reconcilement
trying to deal with her son's death
Synonyms: see distribute
• deal·er ˈdē-lər noun
III. noun
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : an act of dealing : transaction
b. : bargain
c. : contract 1a
signed a 2-year deal
2. : package deal
3. : treatment received
a dirty deal
4. : an arrangement for mutual advantage
5. : affair 2
dinner was an informal deal
6. : situation , story
what is the deal with that guy?
7. : McCoy — used in the phrase the real deal
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English dele, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, plank; akin to Old High German dili plank — more at thill
Date: 14th century
1. British : a board of fir or pine
2. : pine or fir wood
• deal adjective