Deed
DEED
/diːd/
A legal document that is signed and delivered, especially one regarding the ownership of property or legal rights.
In real estate, a deed is the official document that transfers ownership (title) of a property from one party to another. It must be properly executed and recorded.
The story behind the word. The word 'deed' comes from the Old English 'dæd', meaning 'a doing, an action, an event'. While today we often use 'deed' to mean a good or bad action (like a 'good deed'), its legal meaning for property ownership retains that sense of a definitive 'action' – specifically, the action of transferring property. It's the document that makes the 'doing' of ownership transfer official.
Word relationships
- Title document: More descriptive, but 'deed' is the specific legal term for the document transferring ownership.
Commonly confused with
- Title: The 'deed' is the document that proves or transfers title. 'Title' is the legal right of ownership.
Collocations
- property deed
- quitclaim deed
- warranty deed
- record a deed
- sign a deed
Idioms & expressions
- deeds not words
Example sentences
- "Upon closing, the seller signed the deed, officially transferring ownership of the house to the buyer." A deed is essential for proving property ownership.
- "The lawyer advised them to record the deed at the county recorder's office to make the transfer of title public." Recording a deed is a legal requirement.
Memory hook
A DEED is a document that records the DEEDS (actions) of property transfer. Document of action
When not to use
Do not confuse 'deed' with 'title'. The deed is the physical document; the title is the concept of ownership itself.
Fun facts
- There are different types of deeds, such as a 'warranty deed' (guarantees clear title) and a 'quitclaim deed' (transfers whatever interest the grantor has, without guarantees).
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