Main Entry:

²deal

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

dealt \ˈdelt\ ; deal·ing \ˈdē-liŋ\

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 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 game2: administer, deliver <dealt him a blow>3 a: sell <deals drugs> b: trade <deal a player to another team>intransitive verb1: to distribute the cards in a card game2: to concern oneself or itself <the book deals 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