deed

¹deed

noun \ˈdēd\

Definition of DEED

1

: something that is done <evil deeds>

2

: a usually illustrious act or action : feat, exploit <a hero's daring deeds>

3

: the act of performing : action <righteous in word and in deed>

4

: a signed and usually sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract

— deed·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of DEED

1. They taught their children to be kind and to do good deeds.
2. News of their heroic deeds spread far and wide.
3. It's too late now. The deed is done.
4. The land was transferred by deed.
5. He gave them the deed to the property.

Origin of DEED

Middle English dede, from Old English dǣd; akin to Old English dōn to do

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DEED

Synonyms

feat, exploit, number, stunt, tour de force, trick

Related Words

accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, success, triumph; adventure; performance

Rhymes with DEED

bead, Bede, bleed, brede, breed, cede, creed, feed, Gide, gleed, greed, heed, keyed, knead, kneed, lead, mead, Mead, Mede, meed, need, plead, read, rede, reed, screed, seed, Snead, speed, steed, swede, treed, tweed, weed

²deed

transitive verb

Definition of DEED

: to convey or transfer by deed

Examples of DEED

1. She deeded the house to her children.
2. <the philanthropist unexpectedly deeded his entire fortune to the animal shelter>

First Known Use of DEED

1758

Related to DEED

Synonyms

alien, alienate, assign, cede, convey, transfer, make over

Related Words

bequeath, hand down, leave, pass (down), will; bestow, commend, commit, confer, contribute, deliver, donate, grant, hand over, move, pass, present, release, relinquish, surrender, transmit, turn in, turn over, vest, yield; consign, entrust (also intrust), trust; lease, lend, let [chiefly British], loan, rent

Near Antonyms

expropriate