devise — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To use one’s intellect to plan or design (something).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   laysetdesignplancreate

   Examples

   Near-synonyms: lay, set, design, plan, create

   to devise an argument; to devise a machine, or a new system of writing

   More examples (5)

   Therefore to make complaynt Of such mysadvysed Parsons and dysgysed, Thys boke we have devysed, […]

   His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth. As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme: Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts. To pull the triple headed dog from hell.

   devising schemes to realize his ambitious views

   Thus, the task of the linguist devising a grammar which models the linguistic competence of the fluent native speaker is to devise a finite set of rules which are capable of specifying how to form, interpret, and pronounce an infinite set of well-formed sentences.

   Thailand goes to the polls on Sunday under a new system that critics say the military government has devised to prevent the most popular political party, which has won every election since 2001, from returning to power.

2. To leave (property) in a will.

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer.

4. To plan or scheme for; to plot to obtain.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Transitive

   Examples

   For wisedome is most riches; fooles therefore / They are, which fortunes doe by vowes deuize,

5. To imagine; to guess.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   I do protest I neuer iniur’d thee, But lou’d thee better then thou can’st deuise: Till thou shalt know the reason of my loue.

Noun

1. The act of leaving real property in a will.

2. Such a will, or a clause in such a will.

   Examples

   Fines upon devises were still exacted.

3. The real property left in such a will.

4. Design, devising.

   Examples

   I don't know how I got to be so sour on life, but I'm constantly in solitary confinement of my own devise, […]

Noun

1. a will disposing of real property

   Broader terms

   willtestament

2. (law) a gift of real property by will

   Broader terms

   giftinheritanceheritage

Verb

1. come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

   Synonyms

   inventcontriveexcogitateformulateforge

   Broader terms

   create by mental actcreate mentally

   Examples

   excogitate a way to measure the speed of light

2. arrange by systematic planning and united effort

   Synonyms

   organizeorganiseprepareget upmachinate

   Broader terms

   initiatepioneer

   Examples

   machinate a plot

   organize a strike

   More examples (1)

   devise a plan to take over the director's office

3. give by will, especially real property

   Broader terms

   bequeathwillleave