devise
UK: dɪˈvaɪz | US: dɪˈvaɪz
vt. to invent or plan something cleverly or creatively
vt. (Law) to leave property to someone in a will
n. (Archaic) a plan, invention, or contrivance
The word "devise" entered Middle English from Old French deviser ("to divide, arrange, plan"), which itself derived from Latin divisare (frequentative of dividere, "to divide"). The sense shifted from "divide" to "plan methodically" by associating division with logical arrangement. The legal meaning emerged from the idea of "assigning portions of property." The root vise ("see") reflects the conceptual link between vision and planning—visualizing a solution.
Engineers devised a new system to recycle wastewater efficiently.
She devised a clever strategy to win the debate.
The will devised the estate to his grandchildren.
(Archaic) His latest devise amazed the royal court.
The team devised a workaround for the software bug.