device English · revision 4057

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290|origins=la dīvidere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈvaɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|devis]], devise,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|devis|t=division; disposition, wish, desire; coat of arms, emblem; a bequest]] and devise “plan, design, will”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|fro|deviser|t=to arrange, plan, contrive]], literally “to dispose in portions”,^(Etymonline) from [[la-vul|*dīvīsāre]], a frequentative of [[m|la|dīvidere|t=to divide]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The spelling device is from the 15th century.^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[devise]] and [[divide]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Intent, desire; a plan or design; a literary composition”: about 1300 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED has a contrivance for some end about 1290, and will or desire before 1300.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The basic sense, the method by which something is divided, arose in Old French and led to the modern meanings through the notion of something invented for a purpose.^(Etymonline) The original sense, “desire, intention”, survives only in ''to leave someone to their own devices''^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) and in the Book of Common Prayer's “the devices and desires of our own hearts”.^(Cresswell 2021) From about 1400 it meant an artistic design, and especially an emblem with a motto expressing its bearer's principles;^(Etymonline) also from about 1400 a mechanical contrivance, such as a large crossbow with a crank.^(Etymonline) A bequest in a will is from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) Since about 1996 it has been used especially of a hand-held electronic or computing instrument.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – a contrivance for an end.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – will, desire.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – an emblem; a mechanical contrivance.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – a bequest.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1996 – a hand-held electronic device.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A contrivance or invention made for a particular purpose, especially a [[machine]] or [[gadget]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A technique or means; a plan or scheme, often a [[trick]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A literary or artistic contrivance used for effect, such as [[personification]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An ornamental design, especially an emblem with a motto.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An [[explosive]] contrivance; a bomb.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''Devices'', one's own inclination: ''left to their own devices''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[deviceful]]

+ * [[devicefully]]

+ * [[devicefulness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[devise]]

+ * [[divide]]

+ * [[division]]

+ * [[individual]]

+ * [[devisee]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}