Deed , v. t. To convey or transfer by deed; as, he
deeded all his estate to his
eldest son. [Colloq. U. S.]
Deed , n. [AS. d&?;d; akin to OS.
dād, D. & Dan. daad, G. thai, Sw. dåd, Goth. d&?;ds; 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) A sealed instrument in writing, on paper or parchment, duly executed and delivered, containing some transfer, bargain, or contract.
&fist; 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 (?), a. Dead. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Hear it pronounced