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

Her campaign devised that claim from a clip of the Republican musing about how a higher sales tax could be used to eliminate the income tax.

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When a player wins or loses a match, their rating change depends on the relative strength of their opponent—a system devised by Hungarian physicist Arpad Elo more than 50 years ago.

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The Green Giant, devised because the peas themselves were considered giant, traces to 1925, and his signature phrase to the 1960s.

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

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

Read more on Salon