n.
- a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of equipment mechanical or electronic.
- a plan, scheme, or trick.
▸a turn of phrase intended to produce a particular effect.
- a drawing or design.
▸an emblematic or heraldic design.
- archaic design or look:
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works of strange device.
Phrase
- leave someone to their own devices
leave someone to do as they wish without supervision.
Etymology
ME (in sense ‘desire or intention’): from OFr. devis, based on L. divis-, dividere ‘to divide’.
