I. də̇ˈlivə(r), dēˈ- verb
( delivered ; delivered ; delivering -v(ə)riŋ ; delivers )
Etymology: Middle English deliveren, from Old French delivrer, from Late Latin deliberare, from Latin de- + liberare to free — more at liberate
transitive verb
1. : to set free from restraint : set at liberty : release or liberate especially from control : rescue from actual or feared evil : free , save
he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul — Ezek 33:5 (Authorized Version)
— often used with from or out of
delivered him from captivity
2. : give , transfer : yield possession or control of : make or hand over : make delivery of : commit , surrender , resign — often used with up or over, to or into
thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand — Gen 40:13 (Authorized Version)
the constables have delivered her over — Shakespeare
3.
a. : to assist (a parturient female) in giving birth
she was delivered of a fine boy
the doctor has delivered several thousand women in his long career
also : to aid in the birth of
sometimes it is necessary to deliver a child with forceps
b. : to give birth to
she delivered a pair of healthy twins after a short labor
4.
a. : to disburden (as oneself) in words : give forth in words : utter , speak , enunciate
he delivered his speech effectively
b. : to make known to another : communicate
they delivered their ultimatum to the enemy
5. : to send (something aimed or guided) to an intended destination
delivering a short uppercut to the jaw
the frigate delivered a smashing broadside
the pitcher delivered a curve to the batter
6. archaic : to unload (as a ship) of cargo : empty
7. : to bring (as votes) to the support of a particular candidate or cause
couldn't deliver the votes of his ward
intransitive verb
1. : to set one free : disburden
a deliverance which does not deliver — R.W.Emerson
2. : utter , discourse
he delivered beautifully but his speech had little real content
sometimes : to express an opinion or judgment
3. : to give birth to offspring
patients that repeatedly deliver prematurely present special problems
Synonyms: see free , rescue
•
- deliver a jail
- deliver the goods
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English (also, free), from Middle French delivre, from delivrer to free
archaic : nimble , sprightly , active
III. transitive verb
1. : to cause (oneself) to produce something as if by giving birth
delivered himself of half an autobiography — H.C.Schonberg
2. : to come through with : produce
the new car delivers high gas mileage
intransitive verb
: to produce the promised, desired, or expected results : come through
failed to deliver on their promises