Main Entry:

¹de·vise

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈvīz\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

de·vised; de·vis·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French deviser, diviser, to divide, distinguish, invent, from Vulgar Latin *divisare, frequentative of Latin dividere to divide

Date:

13th century

1 a: to form in the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas or principles : invent <devise a new strategy> barchaic : conceive, imagine c: to plan to obtain or bring about : plot <devise one's death>2: to give (real estate) by will — compare bequeath

— de·vis·able \-ˈvī-zə-bəl\ adjective

— de·vis·er noun