devise

UK: /dɪˈvaɪz/ US: /dɪˈvaɪz/ ,(di vīz′)

Inflections of 'devise' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

devises

v 3rd person singular

devising

v pres p

devised

v past

devised

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•vise /dɪˈvaɪz/   v. [~ + object] , -vised, -vis•ing. 

1. to plan;
   invent, or create from existing principles or ideas:
   to devise a method.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•vise  (di vīz′), v., -vised, -vis•ing, n. 
v.t. 

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.

v.i. 

4. to form a plan;
   contrive.

n. 

5. Law
   • the act of disposing of property, esp. real property, by will.
   • a will or clause in a will disposing of property, esp. real property.
   • the property so disposed of.

• Vulgar Latin *dēvīsāre, for *dīvīsāre, frequentative of Latin dīvidere to divide; (noun, nominal) see device
• Old French deviser
• (verb, verbal) Middle English devisen to inspect, design, compose 1150–1200

de•vis′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See prepare. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

devise / dɪˈvaɪz/ verb

1. to work out, contrive, or plan (something) in one's mind
2. (transitive) to dispose of (property, esp real property) by will

noun

1. a disposition of property by will
2. the property so transmitted
   Compare bequeath1
3. a will or clause in a will disposing of real property

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French deviser to divide, apportion, intend, from Latin dīvidere to divide

deˈviser noun