device
a crafty scheme; gadget; design; ruse: His friendliness was only a device to gain your trust.
Not to be confused with:
devise – contrive, plan, or elaborate; form a plan; prepare: He will devise a way to get your money.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
de·vice
(dĭ-vīs′)n.
Idiom: 1. An object designed and manufactured to perform one or more functions.
2. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.
3.
a. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.
b. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.
4. A plan or scheme for accomplishing something: "Now Lydgate might have called at the warehouse, or might have written a message on a leaf of his pocket-book and left it at the door. Yet these simple devices apparently did not occur to him" (George Eliot).
leave to (one's) own devices
1. To allow (someone) to do as he or she pleases: left the child to her own devices for an hour.
2. To force (someone) to cope or manage without assistance: Most people would die in the desert if left to their own devices.
[Middle English, from Old French devis, division, wish, and Old French devise, design, both from Latin dīvīsus, dīvīsa, past participle of dīvidere, to divide, separate; see divide.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
device
(dɪˈvaɪs)n
1. (Tools) a machine or tool used for a specific task; contrivance
2. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) euphemistic a bomb
3. a plan or plot, esp a clever or evil one; scheme; trick
4. (Art Terms) any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
5. (Knitting & Sewing) any ornamental pattern or picture, as in embroidery
6. (Computer Science) a piece of computer hardware that is designed for a specific function
7. (Heraldry) a written, printed, or painted design or figure, used as a heraldic sign, emblem, trademark, etc
8. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a particular pattern of words, figures of speech, etc, used in literature to produce an effect on the reader
9. archaic the act or process of planning or devising
10. leave someone to his or her own devices to leave someone alone to do as he or she wishes
[C13: from Old French devis purpose, contrivance and devise difference, intention, from deviser to divide, control; see devise]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•vice
(dɪˈvaɪs)n.
1. a thing made for a particular purpose, esp. a mechanical, electric, or electronic invention or contrivance.
2. a plan, scheme, or procedure for effecting a purpose.
3. a crafty scheme; trick.
4. a word pattern, figure of speech, theatrical convention, etc., used in a literary or dramatic work to evoke a desired effect.
5. something elaborately or fancifully designed.
6. a representation or design used esp. as a heraldic charge or an emblem.
7. a motto; slogan.
8. Archaic. devising; invention.
Idioms: leave to one's own devices, to allow (a person) to act according to desire or inclination.
[1375–1425; devis division, discourse and devise heraldic device, will; both < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin dīvīsa, feminine of dīvīsus, past participle of dīvidere to divide]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
device
– devise1. 'device'
Device (/dɪvaɪs/) is a noun. A device is an object that has been made or built for a particular purpose, such as recording or measuring something.
...a device that could measure minute quantities of matter.
...an electronic device.
2. 'devise'
Devise (/dɪvaɪz/) is a verb. If you devise a plan, system, or machine, you have the idea for it and you work it out or design it.
The challenge was to devise a proposal that kept costs to a minimum.
Year by year we devise more precise instruments with which to observe the planets.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water"acoustic device - a device for amplifying or transmitting sound adaptor, adapter - device that enables something to be used in a way different from that for which it was intended or makes different pieces of apparatus compatible afterburner - a device injects fuel into a hot exhaust for extra thrust agglomerator - a device that causes material to gather into rounded balls; "a sonic agglomerator" aerofoil, airfoil, control surface, surface - a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight alarm system, warning device, alarm - a device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event appliance, contraption, contrivance, gadget, gismo, gizmo, widget, convenience - a device or control that is very useful for a particular job applicator, applier - a device for applying a substance aspergill, aspersorium - a short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge; used for sprinkling holy water robot pilot, automatic pilot, autopilot - a navigational device that automatically keeps ships or planes or spacecraft on a steady course bait, decoy, lure - something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed billiard marker - a device for keeping the score in a game of billiards blower - a device that produces a current of air bootjack - has V-shaped notch for pulling off boots breathalyser, breathalyzer - a device that measures chemicals (especially the alcohol content) in a person's expired breath breathing apparatus, breathing device, breathing machine, ventilator - a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure bubbler - any of various devices in which air or some other gas is bubbled through a liquid battery charger, charger - a device for charging or recharging batteries clip-on - a device (as an earring, sunglasses, microphone etc.) that is attached by clips comb - a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair conductor - a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc. birth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, preventative, preventive - an agent or device intended to prevent conception corer - a device for removing the core from apples corrective, restorative - a device for treating injury or disease crusher - a device that crushes something cryptograph - a device for deciphering codes and ciphers cutoff - a device that terminates the flow in a pipe dampener, moistener - a device that dampens or moistens something; "he used a dampener to moisten the shirts before he ironed them" damper, muffler - a device that decreases the amplitude of electronic, mechanical, acoustical, or aerodynamic oscillations deflector - a device intended to turn aside the flow of something (water or air or smoke etc) dental appliance - a device to repair teeth or replace missing teeth depressor - a device used by physician to press a part down or aside detector, sensing element, sensor - any device that receives a signal or stimulus (as heat or pressure or light or motion etc.) and responds to it in a distinctive manner diestock - a device that holds the dies that cut external threads on metal cylinders drive - (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium elastic device - any flexible device that will return to its original shape when stretched electrical device - a device that produces or is powered by electricity |
| 2. | device - something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect expressive style, style - a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period; "all the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper" conceit - an artistic device or effect; "the architect's brilliant conceit was to build the house around the tree" rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance) | |
| 3. | device - any clever maneuver; "he would stoop to any device to win a point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions gimmick for greedy businessmen" mnemonic - a device (such as a rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall | |
| 4. | device - any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery) | |
| 5. | device - an emblematic design (especially in heraldry); "he was recognized by the device on his shield" emblem - special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc. union - a device on a national flag emblematic of the union of two or more sovereignties (typically in the upper inner corner) heraldry - the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
device
noun
1. gadget, machine, tool, instrument, implement, invention, appliance, apparatus, gimmick, utensil, contraption, widget (informal), contrivance, waldo, gizmo or gismo (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.) This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
device
noun1. Something, as a machine, devised for a particular function:
2. Something invented:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
أَدَاةجِهاز، أداه، آلَهخِطَّه، حيلَه
zařízenínástrojplánpřístrojtrik
anordningapparatmekanismeplanstrategi
laitesuunnitelmatehokeinotunnustunnusmerkki
naprava
eszközgépezetkészülékmódszerkezet
aîferî; kænskubragîtæki, útbúnaîur
装置
장치
ierīceplānsprojektstriks
naprava
anordning
อุปกรณ์
thiết bị
device
[dɪˈvaɪs] N1. (= gadget) → aparato m; (= mechanism) → mecanismo m, dispositivo m; (= explosive) → artefacto m
nuclear device → ingenio m nuclear
nuclear device → ingenio m nuclear
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
device
[dɪˈvaɪs] n (= piece of equipment) → dispositif m, appareil m
a device for doing sth → un appareil qui permet de faire qch
a device to do sth → un dispositif destiné à faire qch explosive device
a device for doing sth → un appareil qui permet de faire qch
a device to do sth → un dispositif destiné à faire qch explosive device
to leave sb to their own devices (= leave alone) → laisser qn se débrouiller
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
device
n
(= gadget etc) → Gerät nt; (= extra fitment) → Vorrichtung f; (explosive) device → Sprengkörper m; nuclear device → atomarer Sprengkörper; a rhetorical device → ein rhetorischer Kunstgriff
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
device
(diˈvais) noun1. something made for a purpose, eg a tool or instrument. a device for opening cans.
2. a plan or system of doing something, sometimes involving trickery. This is a device for avoiding income tax.
device , unlike advice , can be used in the plural: ingenious devices .
devise is a verb: to devise a scheme .
devise is a verb: to devise a scheme .
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
device
→ أَدَاة zařízení anordning Gerät συσκευή dispositivo laite dispositif naprava dispositivo 装置 장치 apparaat innretning urządzenie dispositivo устройство anordning อุปกรณ์ araç thiết bị 器件Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
de·vice
n. dispositivo; mecanismo.
abduction ___ → ___ de abducción;
electronic ___ → ___ electrónico;
immobilization___ → ___ inmovilización.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
device
n dispositivo, aparato; assistive — dispositivo de ayuda; bastón m, andador m, u otro dispositivo para asistir con las actividades de la vida cotidiana; assistive hearing — dispositivo or aparato de ayuda auditiva; intrauterine — (IUD) dispositivo intrauterino (DIU), aparato (fam); left ventricular assist — dispositivo de asistencia ventricular izquierda; safety — dispositivo de seguridadEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.