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device

 - 7 dictionary results

de⋅vice

[di-vahys]
–noun
1. a thing made for a particular purpose; an invention or contrivance, esp. a mechanical or electrical one.
2. a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.
3. a crafty scheme; trick.
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. something elaborately or fancifully designed.
6. a representation or design used as a heraldic charge or as an emblem, badge, trademark, or the like.
7. a motto.
8. Archaic. devising; invention.

Origin:
1375–1425; b. late ME devis division, discourse and devise heraldic device, will; both < AF, OF < L dīvīsa, fem. of dīvīsus; see division


de⋅vice⋅ful, adjective
de⋅vice⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
de⋅vice⋅ful⋅ness, noun


1. gadget. 2. project, design. 3. wile, ruse, artifice, stratagem, maneuver. 7. slogan, legend.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·vice   (dĭ-vīs')   
n.  
  1. A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.

    1. A technique or means.

    2. A plan or scheme, especially a malign one.

  2. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.

  3. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.

  4. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.

  5. Archaic The act, state, or power of devising.


[Middle English, from Old French devis, division, wish, and Old French devise, design, both from Latin dīvīsus, dīvīsa, past participle of dīvidere, to divide, separate; see divide.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

device 
c.1290, from O.Fr. devis "division, separation, disposition, wish, desire," from L. divisus, pp. of dividere "to divide" (see divide). Sense of "method by which something is divided" arose in Fr. and led to modern meaning.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: de·vice
Pronunciation: di-'vIs
Function: noun
: a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform aspecial function
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

device de·vice (dĭ-vīs')
n.
A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

device
peripheral

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

device

see leave to someone's own devices.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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