devise

¹de·vise

transitive verb \di-ˈvīz\

de·visedde·vis·ing

Definition of DEVISE

1

a : to form in the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas or principles : invent <devise a new strategy>

b archaic : 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

Examples of DEVISE

1. They have devised a new method for converting sunlight into electricity.
2. <she quickly devised a new scheme when the first one failed>

Origin of DEVISE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DEVISE

Synonyms

concoct, construct, contrive, cook (up), invent, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up)

Related Words

coin, design, hatch, produce; daydream, dream, fantasize; conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, picture, vision, visualize; ad-lib, extemporize, improvise

Near Antonyms

clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, mimic, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce

²devise

noun

Definition of DEVISE

1

: the act of giving or disposing of real property by will

2

: a will or clause of a will disposing of real property

3

: property devised by will

First Known Use of DEVISE

15th century