DEVISE

I. transitive verb (~d; devising) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~r, diviser, to divide, distinguish, invent, from Vulgar Latin *divisare, frequentative of Latin dividere to divide Date: 13th century 1. to form in the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas or principles ; invent , conceive , imagine , to plan to obtain or bring about ; plot , to give (real estate) by will, devisable adjective ~r noun II. noun Date: 15th century the act of giving or disposing of real property by will, a will or clause of a will disposing of real property, property ~d by will