DEVISE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • 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

... Eros and Lady of Cyprus, some flush of beauty I pray you devise To flash on our bosoms and, O Aphrodite, rosily gleam on our valorous thighs! Joy will raise up its head through the legions warring and all of the far-serried ranks of mad-love Bristle the earth to the pillared horizon, pointing in vain to the heavens ...

— Lysistrata • Aristophanes

... gentleman's toad-eater pretended to no airs of equality at all; openly paid court to his patron, called him by that name to other folks, went on his errands for him,—any sort of errands which the patron might devise,—called him sir in speaking to him, stood up in his presence until bidden to sit down, and flattered him ex officio. Mr. Sampson did not take the least shame in speaking of Harry as his young patron,—as a young Virginian nobleman recommended ...

— The Virginians • William Makepeace Thackeray

... we are groping in the dark. The elimination of selfishness; of condemnation; of fear and anger, and doubt, must have far greater power for universal happiness and well-being than all the systems which theology or science or politics could devise. Indeed, all these systems are sporadic and empirical attempts to express the vague dawning ...

— Cosmic Consciousness • Ali Nomad

... most sad and desolate woman, as we may well suppose, made the voyage to New York alone. There Sarah met her, and accompanied her to Hyde Park, where she was received with every consideration affection could devise. She seems to have soon made up her mind to make the best of her altered circumstances, and thus show her gratitude to those who had so readily overlooked her past abuse of them. Sarah ...

— The Grimke Sisters - Sarah and Angelina Grimke: The First American Women Advocates of - Abolition and Woman's Rights • Catherine H. Birney

... not exempt. They too respect, and visit the rich more than the poor, and thus indirectly lend their influence to drive them from virtuous life to a course of dissipation and crime. And when once they get them there, then they wish to devise some great means to bring them back to the paths of sobriety and virtue. Do they endeavor to effect this, by ceasing to mind high things, and by condescending to men of low estate? No—but instead of going among them, and taking this unhappy class of our fellow creatures ...

— Twenty-Four Short Sermons On The Doctrine Of Universal Salvation • John Bovee Dods

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