device
 de·vice (dĭ-vīsʹ)n.
1. A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.
2.
a. A technique or means.
b. A plan or scheme, especially a malign one.
3. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.
4. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.
5. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.
6. Archaic. The act, state, or power of devising.Idiom:leave to (one's) own devices
To allow to do as one pleases:
left the child to her own devices for an hour in the afternoon. [Middle English, from Old French devis, division, wish, and Old French devise, design, both from Latin dīvīsus, dīvīsa, past participle of dīvidere, to divide, separate. See divide.]
|
|
