Main Entry: ²deal

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): dealt \ˈdelt\; deal·ing \ˈdē-liŋ\

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 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 game
2 : administer, deliver <dealt him a blow>
3 a : sell <deals drugs> b : trade <deal a player to another team>intransitive verb 1 : to distribute the cards in a card game
2 : 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