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. [ 1913 Webster ] To devise curious works. Ex. CCTV. 32. [ 1913 Webster ] Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain. [ 1913 Webster ] For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore
They are which fortunes do by vows devise. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To say; to relate; to describe. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To imagine; to guess. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
