Devise \De*vise"\, v. i. To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.

I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer. --Pope.

Note: Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease. --Spenser.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Devise \De*vise"\, n. [OF. devise division, deliberation, wish, will, testament. See Device.]

1. The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; -- sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate.

2. A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of a will making a gift of real property.

Fines upon devises were still exacted. --Bancroft.

3. Property devised, or given by will.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Devise \De*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Devised; p. pr. & vb. n. Devising.]

[OF. deviser to distribute, regulate, direct, relate, F., to chat, fr. L. divisus divided, distributed, p. p. of dividere. See Divide, and cf. Device.]

1. To form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts; to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine, a new mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an argument.

To devise curious works. --Ex. CCTV. 32.

Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views. --Bancroft.

2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.

For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore They are which fortunes do by vows devise. --Spenser.

3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.]

--Spenser.

5. (Law) To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly, also, of chattels.

Syn: To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate; imagine; plan; scheme. See Bequeath.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Devise \De*vise"\, n. Device. See Device. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)