Nearby Words

devising

[dih-vahyz] Origin

de·vise

[dih-vahyz] verb, -vised, -vis·ing, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to contrive, plan, or elaborate; invent from existing principles or ideas: to devise a method.
2.
Law. to assign or transmit (property) by will.
3.
Archaic. to imagine; suppose.
verb (used without object)
4.
to form a plan; contrive.

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Devising is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
noun
5.
Law.
a.
the act of disposing of property, especially real property, by will.
b.
a will or clause in a will disposing of property, especially real property.
c.
the property so disposed of.

Origin:
1150–1200; (v.) Middle English devisen to inspect, design, compose < Old French deviser < Vulgar Latin *dēvīsāre, for *dīvīsāre, frequentative of Latin dīvidere to divide; (noun) see device

de·vis·er, noun
pre·de·vise, verb (used with object), -vised, -vis·ing.
self-de·vised, adjective
un·de·vised, adjective
well-de·vised, adjective

device, devise.


1. See prepare.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

devise
c.1300, from O.Fr. deviser "dispose in portions, arrange, plan, contrive," from V.L. *divisare, freq. of L. dividere "to divide" (see divide). Modern sense is from "to arrange a division" (especially via a will), a meaning present in the O.Fr. word.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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