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devices - 2 dictionary results
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de⋅vice

  [di-vahys]
Use devices in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
de⋅vice⋅ful, adjective
de⋅vice⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
de⋅vice⋅ful⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
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.
Cite This Source Link To devices
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.
  3. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.
  4. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.
  5. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.
  6. 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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