devise

¹de·vise

verb \di-ˈvīz\

de·visedde·vis·ing

Definition of DEVISE

transitive verb

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

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