verb
devise
dih-VYZ
verb
1
To work out or invent a plan, method, or system through careful thought.
"The team devised a new way to cut delivery times in half."
"She devised a simple test to check whether the code actually worked."
2
To leave real estate to someone in a will.
"He devised the family farm to his eldest daughter."
How to Use Devise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo think up and plan something, or (in law) to leave property to someone in your will.
Common mistake
"Devise" is the verb (to invent/plan or to bequeath); "device" is the noun (the thing invented). Don't swap the spellings.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
devise a plan
devise a scheme
devise a strategy
Word Forms
devised past tense, devises plural, devises singular
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The team _____ a new way to cut delivery times in half.
Etymology
From Old French deviser, ultimately from Latin dīvidere, "to divide" — the sense narrowed from "to arrange, plan" toward "to invent" and, separately, its legal meaning of bequeathing property.