Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEED, n. [Sax. dæd; D. daad; G. that; Dan. daad; the participle of Sax. don, Goth. tauyan, G. thun, D. doen, to do; probably a contracted word.]

1. That which is done, acted or effected; an act; a fact; 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. We receive the due reward of our deeds. – Luke xxv.
2. Exploit; achievement; illustrious act. Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn. – Dryden.
3. Power of action; agency. With will and deed created free. – Milton.
4. A writing containing some contract or agreement, and the evidence of its execution; particularly, an instrument on paper or parchment, conveying real estate to a purchaser or donee. This instrument must be executed, and the execution attested, in the manner prescribed by law. Indeed, in fact; in reality. These words are united and called an adverb. But sometimes they are separated by very, in very deed; a more emphatical expression. – Ex. ix.