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device definition

de·vice (di vīs′)

noun

  1. a thing devised; plan; scheme, esp. a sly or underhanded scheme; trick
  2. an invention or contrivance, esp. a mechanical one, for some specific purpose
  3. something used to gain an artistic effect rhetorical devices
  4. an ornamental figure or design
  5. a design, often with a motto, on a coat of arms; heraldic emblem
  6. any motto or emblem
  7. Archaic the act or power of devising

Etymology: ME & OFr devis, division, will < OFr deviser: see devise

device Idioms

leave to one's own devices

to allow to do as one wishes

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms device idiom

law device definition - legal

medical device definition - medical

device Synonyms

device

n.

  1. An instrument

    invention, contrivance, mechanism, tool, apparatus, machine, gear, equipment, appliance, medium, contraption, gadget, arrangement, expedient, wherewithal, means, agent, tackle, rigging, harness, material, implement, utensil, construction, outfit, article, accessory, makeshift, auxiliary, stopgap, widget, thingamabob*, thingamajig*, whatnot*, gimmick*, wrinkle*, thing*, doohickey*, whatsit*, whatchamacallit*; see also contrivance 2, machine 1, tool 1.

  2. A shrewd method

    artifice, scheme, design, trap, dodge, machination, trick, pattern, proposition, loophole, wile, craft, cunningness, stratagem, ruse, expedient, subterfuge, plan, project, plot, fake, chicanery, racket, game, craftiness, cabal, evasion, finesse, clever move, sucker trap*, catch*, joker*; see also discovery 2, method 2, trick 1.

  3. A figure or scroll

    slogan, symbol, sign; see design 1, emblem.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

device Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • connect: You will first need to connect the device from the LAN port, to your router.

Adjective modifier

  • mobile: Mobile Click Preview to preview how the page would look in a mobile device.

Modifies a noun

  • driver: So long as your device drivers are written properly.

Noun used with modifier

  • handheld: How much free space will I need on my handheld device?
device usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

device quotes

It was a miracle of rare device, A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!

-Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

device quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"device." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/device>

APA Style

device. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/device

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