device

[ dih-vahys ]

noun

1. a thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, especially a mechanical or electrical one.

   Synonyms: gadget

2. a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.

   Synonyms: design, project

3. a crafty scheme; trick.

   Synonyms: maneuver, stratagem, artifice, ruse, wile

4. a particular word pattern, figure of speech, combination of word sounds, etc., used in a literary work to evoke a desired effect or arouse a desired reaction in the reader:

   rhetorical devices.

5. a mobile device:

   Students may not bring devices into the secure testing center.

   Don't leave your devices in a hot car.

6. something elaborately or fancifully designed.
7. a representation or design used as a heraldic charge or as an emblem, badge, trademark, or the like.
8. a motto.

   Synonyms: legend, slogan

9. Archaic. devising; invention.

device

/ dɪˈvaɪs /

noun

1. a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance
2. euphemistic.
   a bomb
3. a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick
4. any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
5. computer hardware that is designed for a specific function
6. a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc
7. a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader
8. archaic.
   the act or process of planning or devising
9. leave someone to his own devices
   to leave someone alone to do as he wishes

Other Words From

• de·viceful adjective
• de·viceful·ly adverb
• de·viceful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of device¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; blend of late Middle English devis “discourse, division” and devise “heraldic device, will,” both from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin dīvīsa, feminine of dīvīsus “divided, separated”; divisible

Word History and Origins

Origin of device¹

C13: from Old French devis purpose, contrivance and devise difference, intention, from deviser to divide, control; see devise

Idioms and Phrases

see leave to someone's own devices .

Example Sentences

Rothamer and colleagues tested devices called mask fitters or mask braces — rubber or plastic frames that fit over the mask molding it more closely to the face.

From Science News

Today he knows that magic was simply the diversity of a forest left to its own devices.

From Washington Post

That’s not surprising, after all, 85% of all internet users in the United States watched online video content monthly on any of their devices.

From Search Engine Watch

In others, we get impatient and set off explosive charges or use a powerful sound-making device.

From Ars Technica

New platforms will include slip-resistant tiles, LED lighting, larger digital displays with arrival information and service alerts, stainless-steel shelters, improved surveillance systems and charging ports for riders’ digital devices.

From Washington Post

I still do find it a tremendously useful device to invent a character and have the character sing the song.

From The Daily Beast

Employees strap a device to their heads and power a helicopter drone with their minds.

From The Daily Beast

The extending out of one syllable is a great songwriting device.

From The Daily Beast

They double down on the plot device of a lone visionary opposed by conventional hierarchies.

From The Daily Beast

So filmmakers usually resort to a plot device to compensate for this absence.

From The Daily Beast

This takes at first the crude device of a couple of vertical lines attached to the head (see Fig. 4).

From Project Gutenberg

That was not the device of a woman who loved—it savored rather of the cool state-craft of a Lucrezia Borgia.

From Project Gutenberg

This would be a device for helping him to revive this hitherto unrecallable name.

From Project Gutenberg

By a device resorted to in each separate case to help make a more vivid First Impression.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the fashion there to regard it merely as a device to help an incompetent organist.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accessory
• apparatus
• appliance
• equipment
• gadget
• gear
• machine
• material
• mechanism