devised

American  

[dih-vahyzd] / dɪˈvaɪzd /

adjective

1. contrived, planned, invented, or designed.

   It’s a dark comedy about a couple of guys who embark on a poorly devised scheme to blackmail a local clergyman.

2. Theater. (of a play) having a script produced collaboratively by the performers rather than by a writer or playwright.

   Previous works of the Holwell Youth Troupe include a chilling ghost story and a devised piece on the topic of love.

3. Law. (of property) assigned or transmitted by will.

   When specifically devised property is no longer in the testator's estate, the beneficiary's gift fails.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of devise.

Other Word Forms

• self-devised
  adjective
• undevised
  adjective
• well-devised
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of devised

devise ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In the 1940s, University of Chicago economist Frank H. Knight devised a thought experiment called the Crusonia plant: a miraculous organism that, once planted, yields fruit year after year without any effort.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Refuge sites located out of “waves’ reach” were identified and validated by local authorities, and evacuation routes were devised using algorithms to find the fastest routes.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

By the way, we should give a shout-out to the law professors who devised and promoted shield laws—David Cohen, Rachel Rebouché, and Greer Donley.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

When the system was devised, the then Chancellor, George Osborne, said using the Crown Estate as a measure was "not a bad proxy for how the country and the economy are doing".

From BBC • May 14, 2026

My mother and Mrs. Bircz had devised a strategy they hoped would protect us.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson