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.
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Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
--Hallam.
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He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. --Job v.
12.
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2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
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I must have instruments of my own device. --Landor.
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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.
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A banner with this strange device
Excelsior. --Longfellow.
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4. Anything fancifully conceived. --Shak.
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5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
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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)