de·vise 1 /di-'vīz/ vt de·vised, de·vis·ing [Anglo-French deviser to divide, share, bequeath, ultimately from Latin dividere to divide]: to give (property) by will; specif: to give (real property) by will compare alienate, bequeath, convey
de·vis·able adj
de·vi·sor /ˌde-və-'zȯr; di-'vī-ˌzȯr, -zər/ n
devise 2 n
1: a gift of property made in a will; specif: a gift of real property made in a will see also abate, ademption compare distribution
◇ Formerly devise was used to refer only to gifts of real property, and legacy and bequest were used only to refer to gifts of personal property. These distinctions are no longer closely followed. The Uniform Probate Code uses devise to refer to any gifts made in a will.
executory devise: a devise of an interest in land that will vest in the future upon the occurrence of a contingency and that can follow a fee simple estate
◇ Executory devises were invented as a way of getting around the rule in Shelley's case, which is now largely abolished.
general devise: a devise that is to be distributed from the general assets of an estate and that is not of a particular thing
re·sid·u·ary devise /ri-'zi-jə-ˌwer-ē-/: a devise of whatever is left in an estate after all other debts and devises have been paid or distributed
spe·cif·ic devise: a devise of a particular item or part of an estate that is payable only from a specified source in the estate and not from the general assets
2: a clause in a will disposing of property and esp. real property
3: property disposed of by a will
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.