devise

views updated Jun 11 2018

de·vise / diˈvīz/ • v. [tr.] 1. plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought: a training program should be devised a complicated game of his own devising.2. Law leave (real estate) to someone by the terms of a will.• n. Law a clause in a will leaving real estate to someone.DERIVATIVES: de·vis·a·ble adj.de·vi·see / diˌvīˈzē/ n. (in sense 2).de·vis·er n.de·vi·sor / -ˈvīzər/ n. (in sense 2).

devise

views updated May 14 2018

devise 1 order, appoint XIII; assign by will; plan, contrive XIV. — (O)F. deviser divide, dispose (of), design, contrive, discourse :- Rom. *dīvīsāre, f. dīvīs-, pp. stem of L. dīvīdere DIVIDE.

Devise

views updated Jun 08 2018

DEVISE

A testamentary disposition of land or realty; a gift of real property by the last will and testament of the donor. When used as a noun, it means a testamentary disposition of real orpersonal property, and when used as a verb, it means to dispose of real or personal property by will. To contrive; plan; scheme; invent; prepare.

devise

views updated May 29 2018

devise 2 testamentary disposition. XVI. — OF. devise (see DEVICE) — medL. dīvīsa, used for dīvīsiō DIVISION.