devise

[ dih-vahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·vised, de·vis·ing.

1. to contrive, plan, or elaborate; invent from existing principles or ideas:

   to devise a method.

2. Theater. to develop (a play) collaboratively with the performers:

   Based on the lives of women in engineering, the students devised the play themselves.

3. Law. to assign or transmit (property) by will.
4. Archaic. to imagine; suppose.

verb (used without object)

, de·vised, de·vis·ing.

1. to form a plan; contrive.

noun

1. Law.
   1. the act of disposing of property, especially real property, by will.
   2. a will or clause in a will disposing of property, especially real property.
   3. the property so disposed of.

devise

/ dɪˈvaɪz /

verb

1. to work out, contrive, or plan (something) in one's mind
2. tr law to dispose of (property, esp real property) by will
3. obsolete.
   tr to imagine or guess

noun

1. 1. a disposition of property by will
   2. the property so transmitted Compare bequeath
2. See bequest
   a will or clause in a will disposing of real property Compare bequest

Derived Forms

• deˈviser, noun

Other Words From

• de·vis·er noun
• pre·de·vise verb (used with object) predevised predevising

Word History and Origins

Origin of devise¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; (verb) Middle English devisen “to inspect, design, compose,” from Old French deviser, from unattested Vulgar Latin dēvīsāre, for unattested dīvīsāre, frequentative of Latin dīvidere “to divide” ( divide ); (noun) device

Word History and Origins

Origin of devise¹

C15: from Old French deviser to divide, apportion, intend, from Latin dīvidere to divide

Synonym Study

See prepare.

Example Sentences

As a society, we devise laws that are meant to make society a just place for all—but we fail so often.

From The Daily Beast

U.S. military officials say Nagata helped devise much of U.S. special operations support for Jordan.

From The Daily Beast

In 2007, curriculum experts began to devise the new Common Core standards with input from the states.

From The Daily Beast

She has so many sexual partners—about eight different men a day—that she has to devise a scheduling system to keep them in check.

From The Daily Beast

After seeing injuries to infant girl, suspects devise alibi.

From The Daily Beast

To meet this heavy expense the ministers had to devise all sorts of expedients to raise money.

From Project Gutenberg

A more potent and public method of ridicule would be difficult to devise.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the facts help us devise the number phrase, and the phrase helps revive the facts.

From Project Gutenberg

But the prince will devise such things as are worthy of a prince, and he shall stand above the rulers.

From Project Gutenberg

No lawgiver had ever been able to devise a perfect and immortal form of government.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrange
• come up with
• concoct
• construct
• craft
• create
• design
• discover
• forge
• formulate
• hatch
• invent
• mastermind
• prepare
• work out