DEVISE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Devise

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/dɪvˈaɪz/ /dɪvˈaɪs/ Listen

verb

Devise v. t. (past & past part. devised; pres. part. devising)

To form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts; to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine, a new mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an argument. "To devise curious works." "Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views."

To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain. "For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore They are which fortunes do by vows devise."

To say; to relate; to describe. (Obs.)

To imagine; to guess. (Obs.)

(Law) To give by will; used of real estate; formerly, also, of chattels.

Synonyms: To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate; imagine; plan; scheme. See Bequeath.

Devise v. i. To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider. "I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer." Note: Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease.

noun

Devise n.

The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate.

A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of a will making a gift of real property. "Fines upon devises were still exacted."

Property devised, or given by will.

Devise n. Device. See Device. (Obs.)

See images of 'Devise'

Etymology of 'Devise'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Devise" Quotes from Famous Books

... the abbot all sad at that word, And he rode to Cambridge, and Oxenford; But never a doctor there was so wise, That could with his learning an answer devise. ...

— Children's Literature - A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes • Charles Madison Curry

... of prolificacy, the little girl remembered that her best thick dress was so threadbare that she would need a brand-new one for the next winter. She found, too, that if she was to have one she must devise a way to swell the small amount in the tin savings-bank; for the big brothers declared they would be able only to pay the heavy debt upon the farm and victual the house for the stormy months to follow. So she hit upon the idea ...

— The Biography of a Prairie Girl • Eleanor Gates

... that I rave as a madman—that I speak as a fool without understanding? What can I give you that you want? Or what thing can I devise that you have need of? Have you not all that the world holds for mortal woman and living man? Do you not love, and are you not loved in return? Have you not all—all—all? Ah! woe is me that I am lord over the nations, and have not a drop of the waters of peace wherewith ...

— Marzio's Crucifix and Zoroaster • F. Marion Crawford

... limping in to his wife, and the steward was sent for. He was told that he must devise some plan for getting rid of this terrible person. The scheme he had devised before had been of no use, and now good ...

— The Pink Fairy Book • Various

... the hundreds o' hands ye speak o'," returned Madge, "is there no a single head that can plot an' devise a plan to owrecome an' drive our persecutors ...

— Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume VI • Various

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