Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - devise

 I. transitive verb  (~d; devising)  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~r, diviser, to divide, distinguish, invent, from Vulgar Latin *divisare, frequentative of Latin dividere to divide  Date: 13th century  1.  a. to form in the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas or principles ; invent ~ a new strategy  b. archaic conceive, imagine  c. to plan to obtain or bring about ; plot ~ one's death  2. to give (real estate) by will — compare bequeath  • devisable adjective  • ~r noun  II. noun  Date: 15th century  1. the act of giving or disposing of real property by will  2. a will or clause of a will disposing of real property  3. property ~d by will