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> 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