Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Deal \Deal\ (d[=e]l), n. [OE. del, deel, part, AS. d[=ae]l; akin
   to OS. d[=e]l, D. & Dan. deel, G. theil, teil, Icel. deild,
   Sw. del, Goth. dails. [root]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 [parts of an ephah] of flour.
                                                  --Num. xv. 9.

            As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may
            count for a good deal . . . as a spiritual power.
                                                  --M. Arnold.

            She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.
                                                  --W. Black.

   Note: 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. [Colloq.]

   4. An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination
      of interested parties; -- applied to stock speculations
      and political bargains. [Slang]

   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.

   Note: 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.