Deal
/diːl/noun
To distribute, share out, or conduct a transaction; also a business agreement or arrangement.
Did you know?The verb originally meant “to divide” or “distribute,” and its deepest root is the same ancient word family behind the idea of a “part” or “portion.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰel-
“to divide, split, or cut”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dailijaną
“to divide, share out”
Old English
English
dǣlan
“to divide, distribute, share”
Middle English
English
delen
“to divide up, apportion; later also to distribute in trade”
Modern English
English
deal
“to give out, handle, or make an agreement”