Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   De·vice

   /dəˈvīs/

   

   noun

   • 1. a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment: "a measuring device" Similar implementgadgetutensiltoolappliancepiece of equipmentapparatuspiece of apparatuspiece of hardwareinstrumentmachinemechanismcontrivancecontraptioninventionconvenienceamenityaidinformal:gizmowidgetmod con
   • ▪ a bomb or other explosive weapon: "an incendiary device"
   • ▪ a piece of portable electronic equipment that can connect to the internet, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer: "a service that attempts to make all of your files available on all your devices whenever you want them"
   • 2. a plan, method, or trick with a particular aim: "writing a public letter is a traditional device for signaling dissent" Similar ployplancunning plantacticmovemeansstratagemschemeplottrickrusegambitmaneuvermachinationintriguecontrivanceexpedientdodgeartificesubterfugegamewileinformal:wheezearchaic:shift
   • ▪ a turn of phrase intended to produce a particular effect in speech or a literary work: "a rhetorical device"
   • 3. a drawing or design: "the decorative device on the invitations"
   • ▪ an emblematic or heraldic design: "their shields bear the device of the Blazing Sun" Similar emblemsymbollogobadgestamptrademarkcrestinsigniacoat of armsescutcheonsealmarkfiguredesignrunelogotypelogogrammonogramhallmarktagmottotokenmotifcolophonideogram
   • ▪ the design or look of something: archaic "works of strange device"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French devis, based on Latin divis- ‘divided’, from the verb dividere. The original sense was ‘desire or intention’, found now only in leave someone to their own devices (which has become associated with device (sense 2)).

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • V

     4

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less