Lexic.us

Definition of Device

1. Noun. An instrumentality invented for a particular purpose. "A device intended to conserve water"

Definition of Device

1. n. 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.

Definition of Device

1. Noun. Any piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one. ¹

2. Noun. A project or scheme, often designed to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. ¹

3. Noun. (rhetoric) A technique that an author or speaker uses to evoke an emotional response in the audience; a rhetorical '''device'''. ¹

4. Noun. (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. ¹

5. Noun. (legal) An image used in whole or in part as a trademark or service mark. ¹

6. Noun. (printing) An image or logo denoting official or proprietary authority or provenience. ¹

7. Noun. (obsolete) A spectacle or show. ¹

8. Noun. (obsolete) Opinion; decision. ¹

9. Noun. (obsolete) Power of devising; invention; contrivance. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Device

1. something devised or constructed for a specific purpose [n -S]

Medical Definition of Device

1. 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. 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. 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. 5. A spectacle or show. 6. Opinion; decision. Synonym: 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. Origin: 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, and cf. Devise. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Device

Literary usage of Device

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1890)
"Such device contains, in my opinion, the mechanical equivalent of the so-called May ... It is substantially the same thing as the device described in the ..."

2. Convention by National Electric Light Association Convention, National Independent Meat Packers Association, University of Georgia College of Agriculture, University of Georgia Dept. of Food Science (1906)
"Describe a convenient portable load device for meter A very convenient and easily portable load device can be formed from six porcelain resistances. ..."

3. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association by American philological association (1898)
"Disguising on the Stage as a Dramatic device in Sanskrit Plays, by Professor AV Williams Jackson, of Columbia University. Disguising on the stage by ..."

4. Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute by United States Naval Institute (1897)
"The Obry device for steering torpedoes is an application of the ... These torpedoes, before the installation of this device, had no vertical rudders, ..."

5. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1922)
"1. It avers the same matter, but goes more into detail. It alleges at length how it "owned and controlled" the device known as the ..."

6. Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1866)
"device, wild boar on the point of a spear—" Aut mors aut vita ... device, small thorn bush nud a bloody hand. $8 Bill in 1775. A harp—"Majora minoribus ..."

7. Proceedings by Natural Gas Association of America, Modern Language Association of America (1921)
"89 ORIFICE METER SEALING device TH KERR, THE Oino FUEL SUPPLY Co., COLUMBUS, ... This device is very necessary where gas is being sold by orifice meters and ..."

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