dictionary definitions for "device"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  device
      n 1: an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the
           device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device
           intended to conserve water"
      2: something in an artistic work designed to achieve a
         particular effect
      3: any clever maneuver; "he would stoop to any device to win a
         point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions
         gimmick for greedy businessmen" [syn: device, gimmick,
         twist]
      4: any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery)
      5: an emblematic design (especially in heraldry); "he was
         recognized by the device on his shield"

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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
     sense 3), 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His device in against Babylon, to destroy it. --Jer.
                                                    li. 11.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
                                                    --Hallam.
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              He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. --Job v.
                                                    12.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I must have instruments of my own device. --Landor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by
                  devices on their shields.         --Addison.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  A banner with this strange device 
                  Excelsior.                        --Longfellow.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Anything fancifully conceived. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. Opinion; decision. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
  
     7. any artifactual object designed to perform an action or
        process, with or without an operator in attendance.
        [PJC]
  
     Syn: Contrivance; invention; design; scheme; project;
          stratagem; shift.
  
     Usage: -- 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.
            [1913 Webster]

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008) [foldoc]:

  peripheral
  device
  peripheral device
  
     <hardware> (Or "peripheral device", "device") Any part of a
     computer other than the CPU or working memory,
     i.e. disks, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers,
     scanners, tape drives, microphones, speakers,
     cameras, to list just the less exotic ones.
  
     High speed working memory, such as RAM, ROM or, in the
     old days, core would not normally be referred to as
     peripherals.  The more modern term "device" is also more
     general in that it is used for things such as a pseudo-tty,
     a RAM drive, or a network adaptor.
  
     Some argue that, since the advent of the personal computer,
     the motherboard, hard disk, keyboard, mouse, and monitor
     are all parts of the base system, and only use the term
     "peripheral" for optional additional components.
  
     (2002-09-03)
  


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