(Sax. dolan, to divide), fir timber sawn into planks.

municipal and parliamentary borough, market-town, and parish, in the hundred of Bewsborough, Kent, 8 miles N.N.E. from Dover. It derives its trade and importance from the vicinity of the Downs, a fine anchorage between the shore and the Goodwin Sands, in which large fleets of wind-bound vessels may lie in safety. This circumstance gives rise to an extensive trade in victualling and naval stores at Deal. The Deal pilots are famous for their skill and daring, and a considerable portion of the inhabitants is engaged in boat-building. The town is also resorted to for sea-bathing. The great mass of the population reside in Lower Deal, which consists of three principal streets lying parallel to the beach. In Upper and Middle Deal the houses are detached, and inhabited by the wealthier classes. There are three churches belonging to the Establishment, and an equal number to the Dissenters. In the neighbourhood are Sandown and Deal castles, erected by Henry VIII., and Walmer castle, the official residence of the warden of the Cinque Ports, to which, as member of the port of Sandwich, Deal has been annexed. Along with Walmer and Sandwich, Deal returns two members to the imperial parliament. Pop. (1851) 7067.