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devices - 2 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.
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.]
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