device (redirected from leave to their own devices)

de·vice  (d-vs)

n.

1. A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.

2.

a. A technique or means.

b. A plan or scheme, especially a malign one.

3. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.

4. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.

5. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.

6. Archaic The act, state, or power of devising.

Idiom:

leave to (one's) own devices

To allow to do as one pleases: left the child to her own devices for an hour in the afternoon.

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[Middle English, from Old French devis, division, wish, and Old French devise, design, both from Latin dvsus, dvsa, past participle of dvidere, to divide, separate; see divide.]

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device

Noun

1. a machine or tool used for a particular purpose

2. Euphemistic a bomb

3. a scheme or plan

4. a design or emblem

5. leave someone to his or her own devices to leave someone alone to do as he or she wishes [Old French devis contrivance + devise intention]

Thesaurus

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 bird feeder, birdfeeder, feeder - an outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds 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 fender, buffer - a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact catapult, launcher - a device that launches aircraft from a warship 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 baby's dummy, teething ring, pacifier, comforter - device used for an infant to suck or bite on 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 converter, convertor - a device for changing one substance or form or state into another 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
	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" gimmick, twist tactical maneuver, tactical manoeuvre, maneuver, manoeuvre - a move made to gain a tactical end mnemonic - a device (such as a rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall fast one, trick - a cunning or deceitful action or device; "he played a trick on me"; "he pulled a fast one and got away with it"
	4.	device - any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery) pattern, design, figure - a decorative or artistic work; "the coach had a design on the doors" seal, stamp - a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
	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

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device

noun 1. gadget, machine, tool, instrument, implement, invention, appliance, apparatus, gimmick, utensil, contraption, contrivance, waldo, gizmo or gismo (slang), chiefly U.S., Canad.

noun 2. ploy, scheme, strategy, plan, design, project, shift, trick, manoeuvre, stunt, dodge, expedient, ruse, artifice, gambit, stratagem, wile

Translations

device [dɪˈvaɪs] n (= scheme) → estratagema, recurso (= apparatus); aparato, mecanismo (= explosive device); artefacto explosivo

device [dɪˈvaɪs] n (= scheme) → moyen m, expédient m (= apparatus); appareil m, dispositif m;

explosive device → engin explosif

device [dɪˈvaɪs] n → Gerät nt;

(ploy, stratagem) → Trick m;

explosive device → Sprengkörper m

device [dɪˈvaɪs] n (= apparatus) → congegno (= explosive device); ordigno esplosivo

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device

n device [diˈvais]

1 something made for a purpose, eg a tool or instrument a device for opening cans.toestelجِهاز، أداه، آلَهапаратnástroj, přístrojmekanisme; apparatdas Gerätσυσκευήaparatoseadisاسباب؛ ابزارlaiteappareilמַכשִׁירउपकरणnaprava, instrumenteszközalattæki, útbúnaðurcongegno考案物도구, 장치prietaisasierīcealatapparaatapparat, innretning, anordning, hjelperådprzyrządinstrumentoaparat; mecanism; dispozitivприспособлениеnástrojnapravauređajanordning, apparatอุปกรณ์alet, cihaz, araç裝置，器件прилад; механізмکسی خاص مقصد کے لۓ وضع کیا ہوا آلہthiết bị; dụng cụ装置，器件

2 a plan or system of doing something, sometimes involving trickery This is a device for avoiding income tax.middel, metodeخِطَّه، حيلَهхитринаtrik, plánplan; strategider Kniffτέχνασμαmecanismo, truco, estratagemavõteنقشه؛ ترفندkeinotrucתַּחבּוּלָהलेखन शैलीplanmegoldáscaraaðferð; kænskubragðstratagemma工夫계획, 책략, 방법būdas, priemonėplāns; projekts; trikshelahmiddel, trucpåfunn, listsposóbprocessotrucспособtriksredstvonačinpåhitt, knepกลไกdüzen, hile手段прийом, спосібکوئی خاکہ یا تدبیرphương sách手段

device , unlike advice , can be used in the plural: ingenious devices .

devise is a verb: to devise a scheme .