device, n.
1 a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, esp. a mechanical contrivance.
2 a plan, scheme, or trick.
3 a an emblematic or heraldic design. b a drawing or design.
4 archaic make, look (things of rare device).

Idiom

leave a person to his or her own devices leave a person to do as he or she wishes.

Etymology

ME f. OF devis ult. f. L (as DIVIDE)

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THESAURUS

device

AM receiver, AM tuner, AM-FM receiver, AM-FM tuner, CB, Charlie McCarthy, Fathometer, Flexowriter typewriter, Geiger counter, John Hancock, RDF, X, X-ray microscope, ability, achievement, action, ad hoc measure, agency, agent, airborne controls, alerion, alibi, alphabetic character, alternator, amplifier, anagnorisis, ancilla, angle, animal charge, annulet, anode, answer, apology, apparatus, appliance, approach, architectonics, architecture, argent, argument, armature, armorial bearings, armory, arrangement, art, artful dodge, artifice, asiaticism, atmosphere, attack, attribute, auto radio, autoclave, autoconverter, autograph, automatic pilot, automatic pistol, automatic printer, automatic sight, automatic sprinkler, automatic stop, automatic telephone, automaton, autostarter, autotransformer, aviation radio, azure, background, badge, bag of tricks, bandeau, banner, bar, bar sinister, baton, battery charger, battery radio, bearings, behind-the-scenes influence, bend, bend sinister, billet, blazon, blazonry, blind, blueprint, blueprinting, bluff, bordure, bosey, broad arrow, broom, brush, cadency mark, calculation, calutron, canton, cap, capacitor, capacity, capital, carpet sweeper, catastrophe, catch, catchword, cathode, chaplet, character, characteristic, characterization, charge, charger, charting, chevron, chicanery, chief, choking coil, chouse, christcross, cipher, citizens band, cloak, coat of arms, cockatrice, cognizance, coil, colophon, color, comb, commutator, compensator, complication, conception, condenser, conspiracy, continuity, contraption, contrivance, controller, converter, coronet, countermark, countermove, countersign, countersignature, counterstamp, coup, coupling, course of action, cover, cover story, cover-up, craft, creation, creature, crescent, crest, cross, cross moline, crown, crystal set, currycomb, curve, curve-ball, cute trick, cutout, cytoanalyzer, deceit, demarche, denouement, depth sounder, design, desire, development, devices, diathermy machine, dielectric heater, dielectric preheater, difference, differencing, differentia, dingus, dirty deal, dirty trick, dishcloth, dishwasher, disposable resources, disposition, distributor, dodge, doormat, dummy, dupe, duster, dustpan, dynamo, dynamotor, eagle, earmark, effort, electric eye, electrocardiograph, electrode, electroencephalograph, electrograph, electron lens, electron microscope, electronic air filter, electronic altimeter, electronic battery, electronic clock, electronic computer, electronic detector, electronic drum, electronic fuel gauge, electronic heater, electronic nutcracker, electronic oscillator, electronic refrigerator, electronic timer, electronic typewriter, electrophorus, electrophotometer, electroscope, emblem, endorsement, enterprise, envisagement, epigraph, episode, epithet, ermine, ermines, erminites, erminois, escutcheon, euphuism, excuse, expedient, expedients, fable, facade, facecloth, fakement, falcon, falling action, fancy, fast deal, feint, fess, fess point, fetch, ficelle, field, figurative language, figurativeness, figure, figure of speech, figuring, file, flanch, fleur-de-lis, floridity, flourish, flower, flowery style, foresight, forethought, fret, front, funds, fur, fuse, fusil, gadget, galvanic pile, galvanoscope, gambit, game, garland, generator, gimcrack, gimmick, gizmo, gloss, go-between, going between, googly, graph, grapheme, graphing, grid, griffin, grift, ground, ground plan, guided missile, guidelines, guise, gules, gyron, gyroscopic pilot, hackle, hairbrush, hallmark, hand, hand tool, handkerchief, handle, handmaid, handmaiden, hatchment, hearing aid, helmet, heraldic device, hickey, high-frequency heater, hocus-pocus, holystone, honor point, hose, idea, idiosyncrasy, ignition, image, image dissector, imagery, impalement, impaling, implement, improvisation, incident, inclination, index, indicant, indicator, induction heater, inductor, inescutcheon, influence, infrared cooker, infrared telescope, initials, inscription, insignia, instrument, instrumentality, insulator, intention, interagent, intermediary, intermediate, intermediation, intermedium, interrupter, intrigue, invention, isotron, joker, juggle, jugglery, jumper, jury-rig, jury-rigged expedient, keynote, knavery, label, lame excuse, last expedient, last resort, last shift, layout, legend, letter, lever, lever pilot, lexigraphic character, lie detector, lightning rod, line, lineup, lion, little game, local color, locus standi, logo, logotype, long-range plan, lozenge, machination, machine, machinery, magnet, magnetic recorder, magneto, magnetoscope, makeshift, maneuver, maneuvering, maneuvers, manipulation, manner of speaking, mantling, mapping, mark, mark of signature, marshaling, martlet, mascle, mask, mass spectrograph, mass spectrometer, mass spectroscope, master plan, means, measure, mechanical device, mechanical heart, mechanism, mediation, mediator, medium, metal, method, methodology, midwife, minion, monogram, mood, mop, motif, motive, motor-generator, motto, move, movement, mullet, multiplex receiver, mythos, napkin, neon light, neon tube, nombril point, nonliterality, nonliteralness, note, octofoil, operations research, or, ordinary, organ, organization, orle, ornament, oscillator, oscillograph, oscilloscope, ostensible motive, outlet, pacemaker, pale, paly, pass, pattern, pawn, pean, peculiarity, peripeteia, pheon, phonetic character, phonetic symbol, photoelectric counter, photoelectric recorder, photoelectric sorter, photoflash bulb, pictographic character, picture, pile, pis aller, plan, planning, planning function, play, plaything, pleasure, plot, ploy, plug, pocket, pocket radio, points, political influence, polygraph, poor excuse, power, power tool, preamplifier, prearrangement, precision tool, pretense, pretension, pretext, procedure, program, program of action, property, protestation, public motive, pumice stone, puppet, purple passage, purpure, push button, put-off, quarter, quartering, racket, radar, radar controls, radio, radio direction finder, radio telescope, radio-frequency heater, radio-record player, radiophone, radiosonde, railroad radio, rake, rationalization, reactor, receiver, receptacle, recognition, recourse, recourses, rectifier, red herring, refuge, regenerative receiver, relay, relay receiver, representation, representative, resistance box, resistor, resort, resorts, resource, resources, rheostat, rising action, robot pilot, robot plane, robot submarine, rose, ruse, sable, saltire, schedule, schema, schematism, schematization, scheme, scheme of arrangement, scraper, screen, scrub brush, scrubber, scurvy trick, scutcheon, seal, secondary plot, self-starter, selsyn, semblance, servant, service, serviette, setup, shake-up, sham, shield, shift, ship-to-shore radio, show, shunt, sigil, sign, sign manual, signal, signature, signet, slant, slave, sleight, sleight of hand, sleight-of-hand trick, slogan, smoke screen, socket, solution, sonar, spark coil, spark plug, spectrophotometer, speed tool, speedometer, sponge, spread eagle, stalking-horse, stamp, starter, step, step-down transformer, stereo, stock, stooge, stopgap, story, stratagem, strategic plan, strategy, stroke, stroke of policy, structure, subject, subordinary, subplot, subscription, subterfuge, sudarium, superheterodyne, supply, sure sign, swab, switch, syllabic, symbol, symptom, synchronous converter, system, systematization, table radio, tactic, tactical maneuvers, tactical plan, tactics, tag line, tap, telltale sign, temporary expedient, tenne, terminal, the big picture, the picture, thematic development, theme, thermal timing relay, thingumajig, time switch, time-delay relay, timer, tincture, toggle switch, tone, tool, toothbrush, toothpick, topic, torse, towel, toy, trait, transceiver, transformer, transmit-receiver, tressure, trick, trickery, trickle charger, trope, trump, tuner, turn of expression, twist, type, unicorn, utensil, vacuum cleaner, vair, varnish, vehicle, veil, vert, visa, vise, voltage changer, voltage regulator, voltage transformer, walkie-talkie, washboard, washer, washing machine, watcher, watchword, way, way of speaking, ways, ways and means, weapon, wherewith, wherewithal, whim, whisk, widget, wile, will, wily device, wire-pulling, wisp, working hypothesis, working plan, working proposition, wreath, wringer, writing, written character, yale

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ROGET THESAURUS

device

Plan

N plan, scheme, design, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, resolution, motion, precaution, deep- laid plan, system, organization, germ, sketch, skeleton, outline, draught, draft, ebauche, brouillon, rough cast, rough draft, draught copy, copy, proof, revise, drawing, scheme, schematic, graphic, chart, flow chart (representation), forecast, program, programme, prospectus, carte du pays, card, bill, protocol, order of the day, list of agenda, bill of fare, base of operations, platform, plank, slate, ticket, role, policy, contrivance, invention, expedient, receipt, nostrum, artifice, device, pipelaying, stratagem, trick, alternative, loophole, shift, last shift, measure, step, stroke, stroke of policy, master stroke, trump card, court card, cheval de bataille, great gun, coup, coup d'etat, clever stroke, bold stroke, good move, good hit, good stroke, bright thought, bright idea, intrigue, cabal, plot, conspiracy, complot, machination, subplot, underplot, counterplot, schemer, schemist, schematist, strategist, machinator, projector, artist, promoter, designer, conspirator, intrigant, planned, strategic, strategical, planning, prepared, in course of preparation, under consideration, on the tapis, on the carpet, on the floor.

Cunning

N cunning, craft, cunningness, craftiness, subtlety, artificiality, maneuvering, temporization, circumvention, chicane, chicanery, sharp practice, knavery, jugglery, concealment, guile, doubling, duplicity, foul play, diplomacy, politics, Machiavelism, jobbery, backstairs influence, art, artifice, device, machination, plot, maneuver, stratagem, dodge, sidestep, artful dodge, wile, trick, trickery, ruse, ruse de guerre, finesse, side blow, thin end of the wedge, shift, go by, subterfuge, evasion, white lie, juggle, tour de force, tricks of the trade, tricks upon travelers, espieglerie, net, trap, Ulysses, Machiavel, sly boots, fox, reynard, Scotchman, Jew, Yankee, intriguer, intrigant, floater, Indian giver, keener, repeater, cunning, crafty, artful, skillful, subtle, feline, vulpine, cunning as a fox, cunning as a serpent, deep, deep laid, profound, designing, contriving, intriguing, strategic, diplomatic, politic, Machiavelian, timeserving, artificial, tricky, tricksy, wily, sly, slim, insidious, stealthy, underhand, subdolous, deceitful, slippery as an eel, evasive, crooked, arch, pawky, shrewd, acute, sharp, sharp as a tack, sharp as a needle, canny, astute, leery, knowing, up to snuff, too clever by half, not to be caught with chaff, tactful, diplomatic, politic, polite, cunningly, slyly, slily, on the sly, by a side wind, diamond cut diamond, a' bis ou a blanc, fin contre fin, something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Indication

N indication, symbolism, symbolization, semiology, semiotics, semeiology, semeiotics, Zeitgeist, characteristic, diagnostic, lineament, feature, trait, fingerprint, voiceprint, footprint, noseprint, cloven hoof, footfall, recognition (memory), diagnostic, divining rod, detector, sign, symbol, index, indice, indicator, point, pointer, exponent, note, token, symptom, dollar sign, dollar mark, type, figure, emblem, cipher, device, representation, epigraph, motto, posy, gesture, gesticulation, pantomime, wink, glance, leer, nod, shrug, beck, touch, nudge, dactylology, dactylonomy, freemasonry, telegraphy, chirology, byplay, dumb show, cue, hint, clue, clew, key, scent, signal, signal post, rocket, blue light, watch fire, watch tower, telegraph, semaphore, flagstaff, cresset, fiery cross, calumet, heliograph, guidon, headlight, mark, scratch, line, stroke, dash, score, stripe, streak, tick, dot, point, notch, nick, print, imprint, impress, impression, keyboard symbols, printing symbols, red letter, italics, sublineation, underlining, bold font, jotting, note, annotation, reference, blaze, cedilla, guillemets, hachure, quotation marks, ", double quotes, " ", parentheses, "( )", brackets, "", braces, "", left arrow, "<", right arrow, ">", forward slash, "/", backward slash, "\", exclamation point, "!", commercial at, "@", pound sign, "#", percent sign, "%", carat, "", ampersand, "&", asterisk, "*", hyphen, "-", dash, "-", "_", em dash, "--", plus sign, "+", equals sign, "=", question mark, "?", period, ", ", semicolon, ", ", colon, ":", comma, ", ", apostrophe, "'", single quote, "'", tilde, "~", badge, criterion, countercheck, countermark, countersign, counterfoil, duplicate, tally, label, ticket, billet, letter, counter, check, chip, chop, dib, totem, tessera, card, bill, witness, voucher, stamp, cacher, trade mark, Hall mark, signature, mark, autograph, autography, attestation, hand, hand writing, sign manual, cipher, seal, sigil, signet, hand and seal, paraph, brand, superscription, indorsement, endorsement, password, watchword, catchword, security card, pass, passkey, credentials, open sesame, timbrology, mot de passe, mot du guet, pass-parole, shibboleth, title, heading, docket, address card, visiting card, carte de visite, insignia, banner, banneret, bannerol, bandrol, flag, colors, streamer, standard, eagle, labarum, oriflamb, oriflamme, figurehead, ensign, pennon, pennant, pendant, burgee, blue Peter, jack, ancient, gonfalon, union jack, banderole, old glory, quarantine flag, vexillum, yellow-flag, yellow jack, tricolor, stars and stripes, bunting, heraldry, crest, coat of arms, arms, armorial bearings, hatchment, escutcheon, scutcheon, shield, supporters, livery, uniform, cockade, epaulet, chevron, garland, love knot, favor, beacon, cairn, post, staff, flagstaff, hand, pointer, vane, cock, weathercock, guidepost, handpost, fingerpost, directing post, signpost, pillars of Hercules, pharos, bale-fire, beacon-fire, l'etoile du Nord, landmark, seamark, lighthouse, balize, polestar, loadstar, lodestar, cynosure, guide, address, direction, name, sign, signboard, warning, omen, prefigurement, trace, record, warning &c, alarm, scepter, trophy, gauge, milestone, milepost, brand, fool's cap, check, telltale, test, mileage ticket, milliary, notification, advertisement, word of command, call, bugle call, trumpet call, bell, alarum, cry, battle cry, rallying cry, angelus, reveille, sacring bell, sanctus bell, exposition &c (explanation), proof, pattern, indicating, indicative, indicatory, denotative, connotative, diacritical, representative, typical, symbolic, pantomimic, pathognomonic, symptomatic, characteristic, demonstrative, diagnostic, exponential, emblematic, armorial, individual, known by, recognizable by, indicated, pointed, marked, denotable, indelible, in token of, symbolically, in dumb show, ecce signum, ex ungue leonem, ex pede Herculem, vide ut supra, vultus ariete fortior.

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