Both Uses of
devise
in
Leaves of Grass
- My Legacy
The business man the acquirer vast,
After assiduous years surveying results, preparing for departure,
Devises houses and lands to his children, bequeaths stocks, goods,
funds for a school or hospital,
Leaves money to certain companions to buy tokens, souvenirs of gems
and gold.†Chpt 33 *devises = comes up with (invents or creates)
- But I, my life surveying, closing,
With nothing to show to devise from its idle years,
Nor houses nor lands, nor tokens of gems or gold for my friends,
Yet certain remembrances of the war for you, and after you,
And little souvenirs of camps and soldiers, with my love,
I bind together and bequeath in this bundle of songs.†Chpt 33devise = come up with (invent or create)
Definitions:
-
(1)
(devise as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
In law, devise can also reference a gift given in a will (or the act of bequeathing such a gift).