From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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To devise curious works. --Ex. CCTV.
32.
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Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views.
--Bancroft.
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2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.
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For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore
They are which fortunes do by vows devise.
--Spenser.
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3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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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}.
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