deed

Etymology

From Middle English dede, from Old English dēd, dǣd (“deed, act”), from Proto-West Germanic *dādi, from Proto-Germanic *dēdiz (“deed”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tis (“deed, action”). Analyzable through Proto-Germanic as do + -th. Doublet of thesis. The real estate sense derives from the fact that property deeds are traditionally used to demonstrate proof of ownership of a legal title in common law jurisdictions, such as England & Wales and most of the United States. Cognates: Cognate with West Frisian died, Dutch daad (“deed, act”), German Low German Daad, German Tat (“deed, action”), Swedish, Norwegian and Danish dåd (“act, action”). The Proto-Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek θέσις (thésis, “setting, arrangement”).

noun

1. An action or act; something that is done.
   One small deed can have one stour effect or more.
2. A brave or noteworthy action; a feat or exploit.
3. Action or fact, as opposed to rhetoric or deliberation.
   I have fulfilled my promise in word and in deed.
4. (law) A legal instrument that is executed under seal or before a witness; sometimes required for certain legal activities, such as the transfer of certain kinds of property.
   1. (by extension, real estate) The legal title to real estate; ownership.
      I inherited the deed to the house.

verb

1. (real estate, informal) To transfer real property by deed.
   He deeded over the mineral rights to some fellas from Denver.