[de.vice] n [ME devis, devise, fr. MF, division, intention, fr. OF deviser to divide, regulate, tell--more at devise] (14c) 1: something devised or contrived: as a (1): plan, procedure, technique (2): a scheme to deceive: stratagem, trick b: something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design c: something (as a figure of speech) in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect d archaic: masque, spectacle e: a conventional stage practice or means (as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effect f: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function
2: desire, inclination "left to my own ~s"
3: an emblematic design used esp. as a heraldic bearing