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