devise
    n 1: a will disposing of real property
    2: (law) a gift of real property by will
    v 1: come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or
         principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to
         measure the speed of light" [syn: invent, contrive,
         devise, excogitate, formulate, forge]
    2: arrange by systematic planning and united effort; "machinate
       a plot"; "organize a strike"; "devise a plan to take over the
       director's office" [syn: organize, organise, prepare,
       devise, get up, machinate]
    3: give by will, especially real property

Devise \De*vise"\, n. [OF. devise division, deliberation, wish,
   will, testament. See Device.]
   1. The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; --
      sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal
      estate.
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   2. A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of
      a will making a gift of real property.
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            Fines upon devises were still exacted. --Bancroft.
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   3. Property devised, or given by will.
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Devise \De*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Devised; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Devising.] [OF. deviser to distribute, regulate, direct,
   relate, F., to chat, fr. L. divisus divided, distributed, p.
   p. of dividere. See Divide, and cf. Device.]
   1. To form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new
      applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts;
      to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to
      invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine, a new
      mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an argument.
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            To devise curious works.              --Ex. CCTV.
                                                  32.
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            Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views.
                                                  --Bancroft.
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   2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.
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            For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore
            They are which fortunes do by vows devise.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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   5. (Law) To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly,
      also, of chattels.

   Syn: To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate;
        imagine; plan; scheme. See Bequeath.
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Devise \De*vise"\, n.
   Device. See Device. [Obs.]
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Devise \De*vise"\, v. i.
   To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.
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         I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer. --Pope.
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   Note: Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise
         of ease. --Spenser.
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DEVISEE. A person to whom a devise has been made.
     2. All persons who are in rerum natura, and even embryos, may be 
devisees, unless excepted by some positive law. In general, he who can 
acquire property by his labor and industry, may receive a devise. C. & N. 
353.