DEVICE

device, gimmick, twist

(noun) 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”

device

(noun) an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; “the device is small enough to wear on your wrist”; “a device intended to conserve water”

device

(noun) an emblematic design (especially in heraldry); “he was recognized by the device on his shield”

device

(noun) any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery)

device

(noun) something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Noun

device (plural devices)

Any piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one.

(computer hardware) A peripheral device; an item of hardware.

A project or scheme, often designed to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.

(Ireland) An improvised explosive device, home-made bomb

(rhetoric) A technique that an author or speaker uses to evoke an emotional response in the audience; a rhetorical device.

(heraldry) A motto, emblem, or other mark used to distinguish the bearer from others. A device differs from a badge or cognizance primarily because as it is a personal distinction, and not a badge borne by members of the same house successively.

(archaic) Power of devising; invention; contrivance.

(legal) An image used in whole or in part as a trademark or service mark.

(printing) An image or logo denoting official or proprietary authority or provenience.

(obsolete) A spectacle or show.

(obsolete) Opinion; decision.

Synonyms

• (piece of equipment): apparatus, appliance, equipment, gadget, design, contrivance

• (project or scheme): scheme, project, stratagem, artifice

• (obsolete, power of devising): invention, contrivance

Hyponyms

• biodevice

• plant floor device

• e-book device

• electronic device

• end-of-train device

• framing device

• intrauterine device

• literary device

• peripheral device

• unibody device

Source: Wiktionary

---

De*vice", n. Etym: [OE. devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, fr. F. devis architect's plan and estimates (in OF., division, plan, wish), devise device (in sense 3), in OF. also, division, wish, last will, fr. deviser. See Devise, v. t., and cf. Devise, n.]

1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. His device in against Babylon, to destroy it. Jer. li. 11. Their recent device of demanding benevolences. Hallam. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. Job v. 12.

2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance. I must have instruments of my own device. Landor.

3. (a) An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance. (b) Improperly, an heraldic bearing. Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields. Addison. A banner with this strange device -Excelsior. Longfellow.

4. Anything fancifully conceived. Shak.

5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

6. Opinion; decision. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

Syn.

– Contrivance; invention; design; scheme; project; stratagem; shift.

– Device, Contrivance. Device implies more of inventive power, and contrivance more of skill and dexterity in execution. A device usually has reference to something worked out for exhibition or show; a contrivance usually respects the arrangement or disposition of things with reference to securing some end. Devices were worn by knights-errant on their shields; contrivances are generally used to promote the practical convenience of life. The word device is often used in a bad sense; as, a crafty device; contrivance is almost always used in a good sense; as, a useful contrivance.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---

Do you know this game?

Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins