black box vs deal

black box

noun
  • A theoretical construct or device with known input and output characteristics but unknown method of operation. 

  • A flight recorder; the brightly colored cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders in an aircraft designed to aid in determining the cause of an accident. 

  • A device used in phreaking that prevents the calling party from being billed for the call placed. 

  • A type of theater characterized by a lack of decoration or complex mechanisms. 

  • Any similar device on motor vehicles, such as rail event recorders and ship trip recorders. 

verb
  • To focus on the inputs and outputs without worrying about the internal complexity. 

deal

noun
  • A thing, an unspecified or unidentified object. 

  • A transaction offered which is financially beneficial; a bargain. 

  • An agreement between parties; an arrangement. 

  • The distribution of cards to players; a player's turn for this. 

  • Male genitalia. 

  • A plank of softwood (fir or pine board). 

  • A particular instance of trading (buying or selling; exchanging; bartering); a transaction. 

  • Wood that is easy to saw (from conifers such as pine or fir). 

  • A situation, occasion, or event. 

  • An indefinite quantity or amount; a lot (now usually qualified by great or good). 

adj
  • Made of deal. 

verb
  • To trade professionally (followed by in). 

  • To handle, to manage, to cope. 

  • To be concerned with. 

  • To pitch. 

  • To distribute among a number of recipients, to give out as one’s portion or share. 

  • To have dealings or business. 

  • To administer or give out, as in small portions. 

  • To sell, especially to sell illicit drugs. 

  • To distribute cards to the players in a game. 

  • To conduct oneself, to behave. 

  • deliver damage, a blow, strike or cut. To inflict. 

How often have the words black box and deal occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )