Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEAL, n. [Sax. dæl, dal, gedal; Ir. dal; D. deel; G. theil; Dan. deel; Sw. del; Russ. dolia. See the verb.]

1. Literally, a division; a part or portion; hence, an indefinite quantity, degree or extent; as, a deal of time and trouble; a deal of cold; a deal of space. Formerly it was limited by some, as some deal; but this is now obsolete or vulgar. In general, we now qualify the word with great, as, a great deal of labor; a great deal of time and pains; a great deal of land. In the phrases, it is a great deal better or worse, the words, great deal, serve as modifiers of the sense of better and worse. The true construction is, it is, by a great deal, better; it is better by a great deal, that is, by a great part or difference.
2. The division or distribution of cards; the art or practice of dealing cards. The deal, the shuffle, and the cut. – Swift.
3. The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; a sense much more used in England than in the United States.