n. & v.
--n.
1. a thing done intentionally or consciously.
2 a brave, skilful, or conspicuous act.
3 actual fact or performance (kind in word and deed; in deed and not in name).
4 Law a written or printed document often used for a legal transfer of ownership and bearing the disposer's signature.
--v.tr. US convey or transfer by legal deed.
Phrases and idioms:
deed-box a strong box for keeping deeds and other documents. deed of covenant an agreement to pay a specified amount regularly to a charity etc., enabling the recipient to recover the tax paid by the donor on an equivalent amount of income. deed poll a deed made and executed by one party only, esp. to change one's name (the paper being polled or cut even, not indented).
Etymology: OE ded f. Gmc: cf. DO(1)