də̇ˈvīs, dēˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English devis, devise, from Old French devis will, intention & Old French devise dividing line, difference, wish, from deviser to divide, regulate, tell — more at devise
1. : something that is formed or formulated by design and usually with consideration of possible alternatives, experiment, and testing : something devised or contrived : contrivance , invention , project , scheme : as
a. : a scheme to deceive or overreach : artifice , stratagem
b. : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design (as a trinket or a musical motive)
c. : something in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect (as a figure of speech, a special method of narration, or use of words or word sounds)
d. archaic : masque , spectacle
e. : a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function
a device for measuring heat release
an improved steering device
2. : will , desire , inclination , purpose — now used only in plural
left to his own devices
3.
a. : an emblematic design typically of one or more figures with a motto that is used especially as a heraldic bearing denoting the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it ; sometimes : motto
b. : an emblematic figure that is used to identify usually an organization (as a publisher or navigation line)
4. archaic : invention , devising
5. obsolete : conversation , chat