devise

/dɪˈvaɪz/

/dɪˈvaɪz/

Other forms: devised; devising; devises

To devise is to figure out a plan. Men twirling long mustaches might devise a plan to tie someone to the railroad tracks.

To devise a plan is more than just making one; there's a lot of figuring out to do, such as: "Phoebe devised a bus route that picked up kids in alphabetical order." There's a method to the madness of devising. The chemistry class devised a plan to make the fire alarm go off. Devise can be positive, too, meaning to find a creative solution: "The design team devised a plan to make the trailer home look like a medieval castle."

Definitions of devise

1. verb

   arrange by systematic planning and united effort
   “devise a plan to take over the director's office”

   synonyms: get up, machinate, organise, organize, prepare

   types:

   mount, put on

   prepare and supply with the necessary equipment for execution or performance

   lay

   prepare or position for action or operation

   set up

   begin, or enable someone else to begin, a venture by providing the means, logistics, etc.

   sandwich

   make into a sandwich

   spatchcock

   prepare for eating if or as if a spatchcock

   embattle

   prepare for battle or conflict

   rerun

   rerun a performance of a play, for example

   type of:

   initiate, pioneer

   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
2. verb

   come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
   synonyms: contrive, excogitate, forge, formulate, invent

   type of:

   create by mental act, create mentally

   create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands
3. verb

   give by will, especially real property
   type of:

   bequeath, leave, will

   leave or give by will after one's death
4. noun

   (law) a gift of real property by will
   type of:

   heritage, inheritance

   that which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner

   gift

   something acquired without compensation
5. noun

   a will disposing of real property
   type of:

   testament, will

   a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die