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device

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device


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Device  \De*vice"\,  n.  [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. 
 
  Usage:  --  {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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  device 
  n  1:  an  instrumentality  invented  for  a  particular  purpose;  "the 
  device  is  small  enough  to  wear  on  your  wrist";  "a  device 
  intended  to  conserve  water" 
  2:  something  in  an  artistic  work  designed  to  achieve  a 
  particular  effect 
  3:  any  clever  (deceptive)  maneuver;  "he  would  stoop  to  any 
  device  to  win  a  point"  [syn:  {gimmick},  {twist}] 
  4:  any  ornamental  pattern  or  design  (as  in  embroidery) 
  5:  an  emblematic  design  (especially  in  heraldry);  "he  was 
  recognized  by  the  device  on  his  shield" 
 
  From  The  Free  On-line  Dictionary  of  Computing  (13  Mar  01)  [foldoc]: 
 
  device 
 
  {peripheral} 
 
 




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