DEVISE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.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

... rank to that of Sir Robert Cecil's daughter; yet was there no one of her acquaintance with whom she would not sooner have taken a liberty than with Constance Cecil. In the course of the day she tried every little art that female ingenuity could devise, short of saying, "How came you by that locket?" to induce her to talk on the subject—and in vain. Constance made no assertion—offered no explanation; but, when Frances appeared to come too near the subject, ...

— The Buccaneer - A Tale • Mrs. S. C. Hall

... with you, if the Catholics admitted such a dangerous dispensing power in the hands of the Pope; but they all deny it, and laugh at it, and are ready to abjure it in the most decided manner you can devise. They obey the Pope as the spiritual head of their Church; but are you really so foolish as to be imposed upon by mere names? What matters it the seven-thousandth part of a farthing who is the spiritual head of any Church? Is not Mr. Wilberforce at the head of the Church ...

— English Satires • Various

... fresh water a little later and devise some kind of dressing," said Robert. "I've had much experience in the ...

— The Sun Of Quebec - A Story of a Great Crisis • Joseph A. Altsheler

... flame of a gaming lamp, and it, being saturated with the white man's perfume, blazed up bravely even to my elbow, doing me no hurt, as I waved my arm above my head. Verily, the white men are very clever, who so cunningly devise the medicine of ...

— In Court and Kampong - Being Tales and Sketches of Native Life in the Malay Peninsula • Hugh Clifford

... Republics, kingdoms, you will view, And famous cities, old and new; And get of customs, laws, a notion,— Of various wisdom various pieces, As did, indeed, the sage Ulysses.' The eager tortoise waited not To question what Ulysses got, But closed the bargain on the spot. A nice machine the birds devise To bear their pilgrim through the skies.— Athwart her mouth a stick they throw: 'Now bite it hard, and don't let go,' They say, and seize each duck an end, And, swiftly flying, upward tend. It made the people gape and stare ...

— The Fables of La Fontaine - A New Edition, With Notes • Jean de La Fontaine

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