English

Pronunciation
audio|en-us-device.ogg|Audio (US)

:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-aɪs|-aɪs

Noun
en-noun

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 is 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.

1. linguistics Power of devising; invention; contrivance.

#:I must have instruments of my own device. --Landor.

1. heraldry 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.

#:a motto, emblem, or other mark used by Knights-errant to distinguish themselves from others. If a motto affixed to the arms, it usually had some punning allusion to his name. A device differed from a badge or cognizance primarily because as it was a personal distinction, and not a badge borne by members of the same house successively.

1. context|heraldry|colloquial Improperly, an heraldic bearing.

#:Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields. --Addison.
#:A banner with this strange device - Excelsior. --Longfellow.

1. obsolete A spectacle or show.
2. obsolete Opinion; decision.
3. colloquial Any piece of equipment, mechanical or electric; a hosehold appliance.

#:There are a number of household devices in a kitchen such as a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, or an electric can opener, etc.

1. context|electrical engineering An item intended to carry, or help carry, but not utilize electrical energy; an electronic device.
2. computing Equipment which forms part of a computer system, such as a hard drive, a printer, or a video card.
3. law An image used in whole or part as a trademark or service mark.

Usage notes
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, particularly when the device is not an artifact; as, a crafty device. When contrivance is used in a bad sense it implies something that is overly artful or artificial.

Synonyms
contrivance
design
invention
project
scheme
shift
stratagem
equipment
appliance

Derived terms
device driver
electronic device
intrauterine device
peripheral device

Translations
rfc-trans
Czech: za�ízení n
Dutch: toestel n, apparaat
Finnish: suunnitelma (1), laite (3)
German: Gerät n (1)
Greek: ε�ιν�ημα (epinoema) n, �έ�να�μα (tekhnasma) n (1), με�α�ο�ά (metafora) f (2), �ήμα (sema) n (3), έμβλημα (emvlema) n, οικ��ημο (oikosemo) n (3,4), ���κε�ή (siskeve) f (7,8,9), μη�ανι�μ�� (mekhanismos) m (8)
Hebrew: ��ש�ר (makhshyr) m (7)
Norwegian: innretning
Portuguese: aparelho m, dispositivo m
Spanish: dispositivo m (1)
Thai: ��รื�อ�มือ

ang:device
ar:device
el:device
fr:device
io:device
it:device
kk:device
lt:device
ml:device
pl:device
pt:device
ru:device
simple:device
fi:device
ta:device
te:device
vi:device
tr:device
zh:device

• 2007-12-19 15:31 - Liso - /* Translations */

Full Revision History