Wiktionary

deliver

English

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

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

Pronunciation

edit

Verb

edit

deliver (third-person singular simple present delivers, present participle delivering, simple past and past participle delivered)

  1. To set free from restraint or danger.
    deliver a captive from the prison
    Synonyms: free, liberate, release
  2. (process) Senses having 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
    3. To give birth to.
      she delivered a baby boy yesterday
  3. To free from or disburden of anything.
    • 1622, Henry Peacham, The Compleat Gentleman:
      Tully was long ere he could be delivered of a few verses, and those poor ones.
  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.
    • 2004, Detroit News, Detroit Pistons: Champions at Work, page 86:
      "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."
    • 2020 February 18, “UK to close door to non-English speakers and unskilled workers”, in The Guardian‎[1]:
      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.
    • 2022 September 6, Liz Truss, “Prime Minister Liz Truss’s statement”, in Gov.uk‎[2]:
      This is our vital mission to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations. I am determined to deliver. Thank you.
    • 2023 November 29, 'Mystery Shopper', “Does the railway deliver for passengers?”, in RAIL, number 997, page 53:
      But overall, I think the railway delivered very well on my travels. I'd give it 9/10 - there are just a few little rough edges that need smoothing off.
    • 2024 September 5, Beth Gillette, “24 Fall Hair Colors Every Celebrity Is Asking for Rn”, in Cosmopolitan‎[3]:
      But...what exactly are celebrities asking for in the first place? It’s a classic chicken-and-egg scenario. Dw, tho, I asked the pros firsthand: What are the elite set asking for this year, for those of us who want to get in on the trends a little early? And they delivered.
  7. To express in words or vocalizations, declare, utter, or vocalize.
    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.

Synonyms

edit

Derived terms

edit

Translations

edit
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Adjective

edit

deliver (comparative more deliver, superlative most deliver)

  1. (rare) Capable, agile, or active.
    • 1562, George Cavendish, The Life of Cardinal Wolsey:
      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.
    • 1887, William Minto, The Mediation of Ralph Hardelot:
      "More skillful!" interrupted the host. "He is the most deliver at that exercise I have ever set eyes on."

References

edit

Anagrams

edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=deliver&oldid=82292320"