deliver

Etymology

From Middle English deliveren, from Anglo-Norman and Old French delivrer, from Latin dē + līberō (“to set free”).

verb

1. To set free from restraint or danger.
   deliver a captive from the prison
2. (process) To do with birth.
   1. To assist in the birth of.
      the doctor delivered the baby
   2. (formal, with "of") To assist (a female) in bearing, that is, in bringing forth (a child).
      the duchess was delivered of a son
      the doctor is expected to deliver her of a daughter tomorrow
      Sche was delivered sauf and sone
      The queen has already been delivered, and is presenting her daughter to several goddesses, who have acted the part of midwives. 1890, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, volume 2, page 133
   3. To give birth to.
      she delivered a baby boy yesterday
3. To free from or disburden of anything.
   Tully was long ere he could be delivered of a few verses, and those poor ones. 1622, Henry Peacham, The Compleat Gentleman
4. To bring or transport something to its destination.
   deliver a package
   deliver the mail
5. To hand over or surrender (someone or something) to another.
   deliver the thief to the police
6. (intransitive, transitive, informal) To produce what is expected or required.
   "You know, he plays great sometimes when he doesn't score," Brown said. "Tonight, with Rip (Richard Hamilton) struggling, we needed somebody to step up, and he really did. He really delivered." 2004, Detroit News, Detroit Pistons: Champions at Work, page 86
   However, ministers argue they are delivering the Brexit demanded by the electorate – and say it is time for businesses to wean themselves off cheap migrant labour. 2020-02-18, “UK to close door to non-English speakers and unskilled workers”, in The Guardian
   This is our vital mission to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations. I am determined to deliver. Thank you. 2022-09-06, Liz Truss, “Prime Minister Liz Truss’s statement”, in Gov.uk
7. To express in words or vocalizations, declare, utter, or vocalize.
   It’s a lovely sequence cut too short because the show seems afraid to give itself over to romance and whimsy and wistfulness when it has wedgie jokes to deliver. May 27, 2012, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club
   England went into the interval 22-6 down, a second [Owen] Farrell penalty their only response to Scotland’s burst of tries. They had not conceded more points in a Six Nations match in the Eddie Jones era and when the whistle blew for the interval, Dylan Hartley formed his players into a circle to deliver a rallying cry. 24 February 2018, Paul Rees, “Finn Russell masterminds historic Scotland victory over England”, in The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 2018-04-22
   deliver a speech
8. To give forth in action or exercise; to discharge.
   to deliver a blow
9. To discover; to show.
10. (medicine) To administer a drug.

adj

1. (rare) Capable, agile, or active.
   Therefore my policy and advice shall be this: That about the dead time of the night, when our enemies be most quiet at rest, there shall issue from us a number of the most deliverest soldiers to assault their camp; who shall give the assault right secretly, even directly against the entry of the camp, which is almost invincible. 1562, George Cavendish, The Life of Cardinal Wolsey
   "More skillful!" interrupted the host. "He is the most deliver at that exercise I have ever set eyes on." 1887, William Minto, The Mediation of Ralph Hardelot