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. Chaucer.
4. To imagine; to guess. 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.