Deal (dēl), n. [OE. del, deel, part, AS. dǣl; akin to OS. dēl, D. & Dan. deel, G. theil, teil, Icel. deild, Sw. del, Goth. dails. √65. Cf. 3d Dole.] 1. A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a deal of time and trouble; a deal of cold.
Three tenth deals of flour. Num. xv. 9.
As an object of science it may count for a good deal... as a spiritual power. M. Arnold.
She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect. W. Black.
☞ It was formerly limited by some, every, never a, a thousand, etc.; as, some deal; but these are now obsolete or vulgar. In general, we now qualify the word with great or good, and often use it adverbially, by being understood; as, a great deal of time and pains; a great (or good) deal better or worse; that is, better by a great deal, or by a great part or difference.
2. The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the portion disturbed.
The deal, the shuffle, and the cut. Swift.
3. Distribution; apportionment.
4. An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination of interested parties; — applied to stock speculations and political bargains.
5. [Prob. from D. deel a plank, threshing floor. See Thill.] The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; particularly, a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and exceeding six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called a batten; if shorter, a deal end.
☞ Whole deal is a general term for planking one and one half inches thick.
6. Wood of the pine or fir; as, a floor of deal.
Deal tree, a fir tree. Dr. Prior.