ˈdēlə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English delere, from Old English dǣlere, from dǣlen to divide + -ere -er — more at deal
1. : one that divides, distributes, or delivers
2. obsolete : negotiator , agent , go-between
3. : one that acts or conducts himself in some specified way toward others
noted as a plain dealer
4. : one that does business : trader , trafficker , middleman : a person who makes a business of buying and selling goods especially without altering their condition
a dealer in dry goods
dealer in stocks
an automobile dealer
— compare manufacturer
5. : one that buys and sells (as securities, commercial paper, or foreign exchange) on his own account — compare broker 1b
6.
a. Britain : stockjobber a — distinguished from broker
b. : a member of a stock exchange who buys and sells as principal rather than as agent for a customer
7.
a.
(1) : a person who deals cards
(2) : a machine or device for dealing cards
b.
(1) : a gambler or employee of a gambling house who officiates at a game or gaming table (as a stickman, tourneur, croupier, or cashier)
(2) : the chief among such persons : the person in charge of the table (as the stickman in craps or the tourneur at roulette)