devised

[dih-vahyzd]

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.

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of devised¹

devise ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The scholar who devised the climate control plan for the house did the same thing for King Tut’s tomb.

From Los Angeles Times

Watching her execute another step in the scavenger hunt she’s devised for him is like seeing “The Rules” reimagined by Rube Goldberg.

From Salon

The new maps would supersede the ones devised just four years ago by an independent redistricting commission established to keep politics out of the process, which typically occurs once a decade after the latest census.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sheriff’s Office identified Wardwell’s location using cameras and infrared technology attached to aircraft and devised a rescue plan to retrieve him by dawn the next morning.

From Los Angeles Times

When Chicano fashion designer Willy Chavarría first devised his latest shoe drop — a chunky sneaker topped with the sleek, black leather weave of artisanal Mexican huaraches — he meant to honor his roots.

From Los Angeles Times