6 uses
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Definition
to come up with a way of doing something — typically a creative idea or plan
- The boys looked at it briefly, quickly lost interest in it and started up a four-man baseball game of their own devising.Chapter 1 (98% in)
- Since it was essential that a masquerade costume be decollete, she had devised a backless costume, the front cut to display her over-full bust and with one long sleeve to cover that right arm.Chapter 4 (61% in)
- After trying to devise some simple games, Francie and Neeley lost interest, clumsily tied the contents of the box to a string, trailed the string out of the window and finally secured the string by shutting the window on it.Chapter 14 (58% in)
- To Francie, watching, her face close to the iron mesh, this seemed the most fascinating occupation ever devised.Chapter 15 (20% in)
- She devised a game in which each number was a family member and the "answer" made a family grouping with a story to it.Chapter 22 (43% in)
- A few hypocrites devised such evasive games as "playing house" or "doctor.Chapter 33 (1% in)
There are no more uses of "devise" in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Typical Usage
(best examples)