Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Devise \De*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devised}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Devising}.] [OF. deviser to distribute, regulate, direct,
   relate, F., to chat, fr. L. divisus divided, distributed, p.
   p. of dividere. See {Divide}, and cf. {Device}.]
   1. To form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new
      applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts;
      to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to
      invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine, a new
      mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an argument.

            To devise curious works.              --Ex. CCTV.
                                                  32.

            Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views.
                                                  --Bancroft.

   2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.

            For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore They are
            which fortunes do by vows devise.     --Spenser.

   3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.] --Spenser.

   5. (Law) To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly,
      also, of chattels.

   Syn: To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate;
        imagine; plan; scheme. See {Bequeath}.

Source : WordNet®

devising
     n : the act that results in something coming to be; "the
         devising of plans"; "the fashioning of pots and pans";
         "the making of measurements"; "it was already in the
         making" [syn: {fashioning}, {making}]