devise

[ dih-vahyz ]

/ dɪˈvaɪz /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR devise ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

to contrive, plan, or elaborate; invent from existing principles or ideas: to devise a method.

Law. to assign or transmit (property) by will.

Archaic. to imagine; suppose.

verb (used without object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

to form a plan; contrive.

noun

Law.

the act of disposing of property, especially real property, by will.
a will or clause in a will disposing of property, especially real property.
the property so disposed of.

Origin of devise

1150–1200; (v.) Middle English devisen to inspect, design, compose < Old French deviser < Vulgar Latin *dēvīsāre, for *dīvīsāre, frequentative of Latin dīvidere to divide; (noun) see device

SYNONYMS FOR devise

1 See prepare.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR devise ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM devise

de·vis·er, noun pre·de·vise, verb (used with object), pre·de·vised, pre·de·vis·ing. self-de·vised, adjective un·de·vised, adjective

well-de·vised, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH devise

device devise

Words nearby devise

devine, deviometer, devious, devisable, devisal, devise, devisee, devisor, devitalize, devitalized, devitalized pulp

Example sentences from the Web for devise

As a society, we devise laws that are meant to make society a just place for all—but we fail so often.

‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism |Dina Goldstein |November 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In 2007, curriculum experts began to devise the new Common Core standards with input from the states.

The Incredibly Stupid War on the Common Core |Charles Upton Sahm |April 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She has so many sexual partners—about eight different men a day—that she has to devise a scheduling system to keep them in check.

‘Nymphomaniac,’ Lars von Trier’s Icy Orgy of Sex and Self-Loathing, Bows At Sundance |Marlow Stern |January 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Obama has failed to defuse Republican opposition or devise a long-term plan.

What the Rest of the World Thinks of America’s Shutdown | |October 3, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

With members of the media present, the caucus makes them wait for seven minutes outside while they devise a game plan.

‘The West Wing’ Government Shutdown Episode Is Frighteningly Familiar |Marlow Stern |October 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But when you have arrived, possibly we may devise some satisfactory arrangement.

Letters of John Calvin, Volume II (of 4) |Jules Bonnet
They resolved to devise some means to lower the character of Buddha in the opinion of the people.

The Life or Legend of Gaudama |Right Reverend Paul Ambroise Bigandet
But I do not pretend to devise those institutions, and certainly shall not throw obstacles in the way of such as can or will try.

Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 1 (of 3) |Theodore Parker
Just from studying Max he knew he could devise such workable communication systems.

Cerebrum |Albert Teichner
I began to devise a means to undo this dreadful work of mine.

The Blue Wall |Richard Washburn Child

British Dictionary definitions for devise

devise

/ (dɪˈvaɪz) /

verb

to work out, contrive, or plan (something) in one's mind

(tr) law to dispose of (property, esp real property) by will

(tr) obsolete to imagine or guess

noun law

a disposition of property by will
the property so transmittedCompare bequeath (def. 1)

a will or clause in a will disposing of real property Compare bequest (def. 2)

Derived forms of devise

deviser, noun

Word Origin for devise

C15: from Old French deviser to divide, apportion, intend, from Latin dīvidere to divide

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

devise

verb (used with object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

verb (used without object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

noun

Origin of devise

SYNONYMS FOR devise

OTHER WORDS FROM devise

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH devise

Words nearby devise

Example sentences from the Web for devise

British Dictionary definitions for devise

verb

noun law

Derived forms of devise

Word Origin for devise

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

devise

verb (used with object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

verb (used without object), de·vised, de·vis·ing.

noun

Origin of devise

SYNONYMS FOR devise

OTHER WORDS FROM devise

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH devise

Words nearby devise

Words related to devise

Example sentences from the Web for devise

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verb

noun law

Derived forms of devise

Word Origin for devise

British Dictionary definitions for devise