- The definition of devise is to plan or create by thinking through.
An example of devise is figuring out how to recreate a restaurant's secret recipe.
transitive verb, intransitive verb devised, devising
- to work out or create (something) by thinking; contrive; plan; invent
- Law to bequeath (real property) by will
- Archaic to make secret plans for; plot
- Obsolete to guess or imagine
Origin: Middle English devisen ; from Old French deviser, to distribute, direct, regulate, talk ; from Vulgar Latin an unverified form divisare ; from Classical Latin divisus, past participle of dividere: see divide
noun
- a gift of real property by will
- a will, or clause in a will, granting such a gift
- the property so granted
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
transitive verb de·vised, de·vis·ing, de·vis·es
- To form, plan, or arrange in the mind; design or contrive: devised a new system for handling mail orders.
- Law To transmit or give (real property) by will.
- Archaic To suppose; imagine.
- a. The act of transmitting or giving real property by will.b. The property or lands so transmitted or given.
- A will or clause in a will transmitting or giving real property.
Origin: Middle English devisen, from Old French deviser, from Vulgar Latin *dēvīsāre, from Latin *dīvīsāre, frequentative of dīvidere, to divide; see divide.
Related Forms:
- de·visˈa·ble adjective
- de·visˈer noun
devise - Business Definition
To pass real estate by means of a will.
devise - Legal Definition
n
The act of transferring real
property by will; a clause of a will describing such a transfer; the property
disposed of in such a transfer.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.