[dɪˈvʌɪs], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment
(e.g: a measuring device)

- a plan, method, or trick with a particular aim
(e.g: writing a letter to a newspaper is a traditional device for signalling dissent)

- a drawing or design
(e.g: the decorative device on the invitations)


Phrases:
- leave someone to their own devices

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French devis, based on Latin divis- ‘divided’, from the verb dividere. The original sense was ‘desire or intention’, found now only in leave someone to their own devices (which has become associated with device)