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deal in

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deal in something

to buy and sell something. My uncle is a stockbroker. He deals in stocks and bonds. My aunt deals in antiques.

See also: deal

deal in

1. Also, deal with. Be occupied or concerned with, as in Jim deals in generalities, or This book deals with idioms. The first term dates from the late 1500s, the variant from about 1300.

2. Do business or trade in something, as in They deal in diamonds. [Late 1500s] Also see deal with.

3. deal someone in. Also, deal one a hand. Include someone, give someone a share, as in I hope they'll deal me in on this new enterprise. This usage comes from card games, where to deal has meant "to distribute cards" since the 16th century. [Early 1900s]

See also: deal

deal in

v.

1. To include someone in a card game by giving that player cards: Deal me in—I'm just getting up to get some potato chips. The dealer dealt in all the players who sat at the table.

2. To be in some particular line of work or pursuit: She deals in computer hardware. The gangster dealt in stolen goods.

See also: deal