deal 1
(dēl)v. dealt (dĕlt), deal·ing, deals
v.tr.1. To give out in shares or portions; apportion:
a critic who deals out as much praise as blame. See Synonyms at
distribute.
2. Games a. To distribute (playing cards) among players.
b. To give (a specific card) to a player while so distributing.
3. To sell: deal prescriptions; deal cocaine.
4. To administer; deliver: dealt him a blow to the stomach.
v.intr.1. To be occupied or concerned: a book that deals with the Middle Ages.
2. To behave in a specified way toward another or others; have transactions: deal honestly with competitors.
3. To take action with respect to someone or something: The committee will deal with this complaint.
4. Informal To cope: I can't deal with all of this arguing!
5. To do business; trade: dealing in diamonds.
6. Games To distribute playing cards.
7. Slang To buy and sell drugs, especially illegally.
8. Baseball To throw a pitch.
n.1. The act or a round of apportioning or distributing.
2. Games a. Distribution of playing cards.
b. The cards so distributed; a hand.
c. The right or turn of a player to distribute the cards.
d. The playing of one hand.
3. An indefinite quantity, extent, or degree: has a great deal of experience.
4. a. An agreement, especially one that is mutually beneficial. See Synonyms at
agreement.
b. A business transaction: struck a deal to buy a car dealership.
c. A legal contract: signed a deal to play for a new team.
5. Informal A sale favorable especially to the buyer; a bargain.
6. Informal Treatment received: a raw deal; a fair deal.
7. Informal The situation or background information regarding something: What's the deal with the new teacher?
Phrasal Verbs: deal in1. To include (someone) in a card game by dealing cards to that person.
2. To include (someone) in an enterprise or undertaking.
deal out1. To exclude (someone) from a card game by not giving cards to that person.
2. To exclude (someone) from an enterprise or undertaking.
deal 2
(dēl)n.1. a. A fir or pine board cut to standard dimensions.
b. Such boards or planks considered as a group.
2. Fir or pine wood.
[Middle English dele, from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German dele, plank.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.