devise

[dih-vahyz]

verb (used with object)

devised, devising 

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)

devised, devising 

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. a will or clause in a will disposing of real property Compare bequest

Other Word Forms

• deviser noun
• predevise verb (used with object)

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

"The challenge has been to devise a more benign pre-treatment process, diminishing risk to the point that patients suffering from an autoimmune deficiency that may not be immediately life-threatening would feel comfortable undergoing the treatment."

Read more on Science Daily

He devised a game involving two plastic robots, controlled by levers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

During a Test against South Africa, Smith admitted Australia's "leadership group" devised a plan to tamper with the ball.

Read more on BBC

The final was postponed one week because of rain, and Barristers coach Shane Gerard took full advantage of the extra time to devise a game plan.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When Newcastle needed a result most, following a bruising defeat at Brentford before the international break, Howe and his staff devised a plan to finally get the better of Manchester City in the Premier League.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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