devise
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to invent a new way of doing something or to plan a clever system.
v.to use one's intellect to plan, design, or formulate a complex system or method.
Simple“The engineers had to devise a new way to keep the bridge stable during high winds.”
In context“The research team managed to devise a sophisticated algorithm that predicts market fluctuations with unprecedented accuracy.”
UsageOften used with abstract nouns like 'plan', 'scheme', 'method', or 'strategy'.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
n.a gift of land or buildings that is left to someone in a will.
n.the act of disposing of real property by a will, or the specific clause or property so disposed.
Simple“The lawyer explained that the devise of the house was subject to inheritance tax.”
In context“A specific devise of real property takes priority over general legacies if the estate's assets are insufficient to cover all debts.”
devise vs device — Device is the physical tool or object, while devise is the action of creating a plan or system.
Usage devise method · devise system · devise test
“Colleges and universities have not yet figured out a way to respond, leaving teachers like me to devise our own responses.”
“Rather than treating young people as an invading force, Detroit can build a partnership with them to devise a flexible, responsive and sustainable strategy that supports the whole community.”
PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English devisen, devysen, from Old French deviser, from Vulgar Latin devisō, from Latin dīvisō, frequentative of dīvidō.
From Middle French devise. Doublet of device.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.