DEEDEST

DEED

Deed, a.

Definition: Dead. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Deed, n. Etym: [AS. d; akin to OS. dad, D. & Dan. daad, G. thai, Sw. dåd, Goth. d; fr. the root of do. See Do, v. t.]

1. That which is done or effected by a responsible agent; an act; an action; a thing done; -- a word of extensive application, including, whatever is done, good or bad, great or small. And Joseph said to them, What deed is this which ye have done Gen. xliv. 15. We receive the due reward of our deeds. Luke xxiii. 41. Would serve his kind in deed and word. Tennyson.

2. Illustrious act; achievement; exploit. "Knightly deeds." Spenser. Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn. Dryden.

3. Power of action; agency; efficiency. [Obs.] To be, both will and deed, created free. Milton.

4. Fact; reality; -- whence we have indeed.

5. (Law)

Definition: A sealed instrument in writing, on paper or parchment, duly executed and delivered, containing some transfer, bargain, or contract.

Note: The term is generally applied to conveyances of real estate, and it is the prevailing doctrine that a deed must be signed as well as sealed, though at common law signing was formerly not necessary. Blank deed, a printed form containing the customary legal phraseology, with blank spaces for writing in names, dates, boundaries, etc.

6. Performance; -- followed by of. [Obs.] Shak. In deed, in fact; in truth; verily. See Indeed.

Deed, v. t.

Definition: To convey or transfer by deed; as, he deeded all his estate to his eldest son. [Colloq. U. S.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition