Category:Devise

De*vise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Devised; p. pr. & vb. n. Devising.] Etym: [OF. deviser to distribute, regulate, direct, relate, F., to chat, fr. L. divisus divided, distributed, p. p. of dividere. See Divide, and cf. Device.]

1. 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. Ex. CCTV. 32. Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views. Bancroft.

2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain. For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore They are which fortunes do by vows devise. Spenser.

3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.] Spenser.

5. (Law)

Defn: To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly, also, of chattels.

Syn. -- To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate; imagine; plan; scheme. See Bequeath.

devise De*vise", v. i.

Defn: To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider. I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer. Pope.

Note: Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease. Spenser.

devise De*vise", n. Etym: [OF. devise division, deliberation, wish, will, testament. See Device.]

1. The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; -- sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate.

2. A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of a will making a gift of real property. Fines upon devises were still exacted. Bancroft.

3. Property devised, or given by will.

devise De*vise", n.

Defn: Device. See Device. [Obs.]