DEVISE


Meaning of DEVISE in English

I. de·vise də̇ˈvīz, dēˈ- verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English devisen, from Old French deviser to divide, regulate, tell, modification of (assumed) Vulgar Latin divisare, from Latin divisus, past participle of dividere to divide — more at divide

transitive verb

1.

a. : to form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts : formulate by thought : contrive , invent , plan , scheme

devise an engine

devising a new style in hats

b. archaic : suppose , imagine , guess

c. : to plan to obtain or bring about : scheme for : plot — used especially of objectives felt to be evil or unworthy

the traitors devised the death of the king

devising a plot to overthrow the government

2. obsolete : to describe fully : relate in detail : recount

3. : to give by will — now used especially of real estate; compare bequeath 1a

4. obsolete : draw , design , delineate

that dear cross upon your shield devised — Edmund Spenser

intransitive verb

1. : to form a scheme : develop a plan or intent : design , contrive , determine — now used chiefly as a present participle

the devising spirit, the scheming brain

2. obsolete : to talk together : converse

Synonyms: see contrive , will

II. devise noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle French, from Old French, division, deliberation, wish, will, testament, from deviser to divide, regulate

1. : the act of giving or disposing of property by will — now used technically only of real property but formerly used as well of the bequest of personal estate

2. : a will or clause of a will disposing of real property

3. : property given by will

III. de·vi·se dāˈvēzə noun

( plural devi·sen -z ə n)

Usage: sometimes capitalized

Etymology: German, from French, motto, from Middle French, heraldic device, from Old French, dividing line — more at device

: foreign exchange in readily available form

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.