D — Devastation to Devilry (Part 4 of 6)

Device
(De*vice") n. [OE. devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, fr. F. devis architect's plan and estimates (in OF., division, plan, wish), devise device in OF. also, division, wish, last will, fr. deviser. See Devise, v. t., and cf. Devise, n.]

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.

Their recent device of demanding benevolences.

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty.

2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.

I must have instruments of my own device.

3. (a) 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. (b) Improperly, an heraldic bearing.

Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields.

A banner with this strange device -
Excelsior.

4. Anything fancifully conceived. Shak.

5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

6. Opinion; decision. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

Syn. — 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.

Deviceful
(De*vice"ful) a. Full of devices; inventive. [R.]

A carpet, rich, and of deviceful thread.

Devicefully
(De*vice"ful*ly), adv. In a deviceful manner. [R.]

Devil
(Dev"il) n. [AS. deófol, deóful; akin to G. eufel, Goth. diabaúlus; all fr. L. diabolus the devil, Gr. the devil, the slanderer, fr. to slander, calumniate, orig., to throw across; across + to throw, let fall, fall; cf. Skr. gal to fall. Cf. Diabolic.]

1. The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and spiritual of mankind.

[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.

That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.