device

Etymology

From Middle English devys, from Old French devis, from Latin dīvīsus, past participle of dīvidō (“to divide”).

noun

1. Any piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one.
   1949. Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Chapter VI. Provisions Applicable to Cycles in International Traffic Every cycle shall be equipped with: … (b) an audible warning device consisting of a bell …
   An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine. 2013-06-01, “A better waterworks”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 5 (Technology Quarterly)
2. (computer hardware) A peripheral device; an item of hardware.
3. A project or scheme, often designed to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
   Their recent device of demanding benevolences. 1827, Henry Hallam, The English Constitution, Harper
   Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story. 2012-03, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 2013-02-19, page 106
4. (Ireland) An improvised explosive device, home-made bomb
   Inflammable material is planted in my head / It's a suspect device that's left 2000 dead 1979, Stiff Little Fingers, Suspect Device
   THE ARMY BOMB Disposal Team rendered safe a viable device in Cavan this afternoon. September 3 2014, Cliodhna Russell, “A viable device was found in Cavan today, it has now been made safe”, in The Journal
   The army bomb squad carried out two controlled explosions on the device. It was later found that the suspect device was a hoax and not a viable explosive. August 3 2014, Louise Kelly, Conor Feehan, “Suspect device found at shopping centre revealed as hoax”, in Irish Independent
5. (rhetoric) A technique that an author or speaker uses to evoke an emotional response in the audience; a rhetorical device.
6. (heraldry) A motto, emblem, or other mark used to distinguish the bearer from others. A device differs from a badge or cognizance primarily as it is a personal distinction, and not a badge borne by members of the same house successively.
   1736. O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey. The Documentary History of the State of New York Chapter I, Article III: Enumeration of the Indian Tribes. The devices of these savages are the serpent, the Deer, and the Small Acorn.
7. (archaic) Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
   Moreover I must have instruments of mine own device, weighty, and exceeding costly 1824, Walter Savage Landor, “King Henry IV and Sir Arnold Savage”, in Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen, page 44
   And she said, "We are all prisoners here, Of our own device" 1976, The Eagles, Hotel California
8. (law) An image used in whole or in part as a trademark or service mark.
9. (printing) An image or logo denoting official or proprietary authority or provenience.
   Prior to the issuance of the first stamps, letters accepted by postmasters for dispatch were marked "Paid" by means of pen and ink or hand stamps of various designs. … To facilitate the handling of mail matter, some postmasters provided special stamps or devices for use on letters as evidence of the prepayment of postage. 1943 United States Post Office Department. A Description of United States Postage Stamps / Issued by the Post Office Department from July 1, 1847, to April 1, 1945 [sic], USGPO, Washington, p1
10. (obsolete) A spectacle or show.
    It will be out of faſhion to weare ſwords, / Maſques, and devices welcome, I ſalute you […] c. 1634, James Shirley (falsely attributed to John Fletcher), The Coronation
11. (obsolete) Opinion; decision.