v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bedevilled (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bedeviling or Bedevilling. ] 1. To throw into utter disorder and confusion, as if by the agency of evil spirits; to bring under diabolical influence; to torment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bedeviled and used worse than St. Bartholomew. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To spoil; to corrupt. Wright. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being bedeviled; bewildering confusion; vexatious trouble. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A reckless fellow. Also used adjectively; as, dare-devil excitement. [ 1913 Webster ]

A humorous dare-devil -- the very man
To suit my prpose. Ld. Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n; pl. Dare-deviltries Reckless mischief; the action of a dare-devil. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A half devil. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; fem. of Deva. A goddess. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. an aberrant state or condition.
Syn. -- aberrance, aberrancy, aberration. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. deviate behavior.
Syn. -- deviation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. 1. Deviating. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. having behavior or characteristics differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviant behavior.
Syn. -- deviate. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Deviated p. pr. & vb. n. Deviating ] [ L. deviare to deviate; de + viare to go, travel, via way. See Viaduct. ] To go out of the way; to turn aside from a course or a method; to stray or go astray; to err; to digress; to diverge; to vary. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take,
May boldly deviate from the common track. Pope.

Syn. -- To swerve; stray; wander; digress; depart; deflect; err. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to deviate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To deviate a needle. J. D. Forbes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. having behavior differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviate behavior.
Syn. -- deviant. [ PJC ]

n. a person having behavior differing from that which is normal or socially acceptable; -- used especially to characterize persons whose sexual behavior is considered morally unacceptable.
Syn. -- deviant. [ PJC ]

n. [ LL. deviatio: cf. F. déviation. ] 1. The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Com.) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Statistics, Physics) the difference between an expected value of an observation or measurement and the actual value. [ PJC ]

Deviation of a falling body (Physics), that deviation from a strictly vertical line of descent which occurs in a body falling freely, in consequence of the rotation of the earth. --
Deviation of the compass, the angle which the needle of a ship's compass makes with the magnetic meridian by reason of the magnetism of the iron parts of the ship. --
Deviation of the line of the vertical, the difference between the actual direction of a plumb line and the direction it would have if the earth were a perfect ellipsoid and homogeneous, -- caused by the attraction of a mountain, or irregularities in the earth's density. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., a forsaker. ] One who, or that which, deviates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to deviate; devious; as, deviatory motion. [ R. ] Tully. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, fr. F. devis architect's plan and estimates (in OF., division, plan, wish), devise device (in sense 3), in OF. also, division, wish, last will, fr. deviser. See Devise, v. t., and cf. Devise, n. ] 1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. [ 1913 Webster ]

His device in against Babylon, to destroy it. Jer. li. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their recent device of demanding benevolences. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. Job v. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance. [ 1913 Webster ]

I must have instruments of my own device. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (a) An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance. (b) Improperly, an heraldic bearing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

A banner with this strange device -
Excelsior. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Anything fancifully conceived. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A spectacle or show. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Opinion; decision. [ Obs. ] Rom. of R.

7. any artifactual object designed to perform an action or process, with or without an operator in attendance. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Contrivance; invention; design; scheme; project; stratagem; shift. -- Device, Contrivance. Device implies more of inventive power, and contrivance more of skill and dexterity in execution. A device usually has reference to something worked out for exhibition or show; a contrivance usually respects the arrangement or disposition of things with reference to securing some end. Devices were worn by knights-errant on their shields; contrivances are generally used to promote the practical convenience of life. The word device is often used in a bad sense; as, a crafty device; contrivance is almost always used in a good sense; as, a useful contrivance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of devices; inventive. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A carpet, rich, and of deviceful thread. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a deviceful manner. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. deófol, deóful; akin to G. &unr_;eufel, Goth. diabaúlus; all fr. L. diabolus the devil, Gr. &unr_; the devil, the slanderer, fr. &unr_; to slander, calumniate, orig., to throw across; &unr_; across + &unr_; to throw, let fall, fall; cf. Skr. gal to fall. Cf. Diabolic. ] 1. The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and spiritual of mankind. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Jesus ] being forty days tempted of the devil. Luke iv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world. Rev. xii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An evil spirit; a demon. [ 1913 Webster ]

A dumb man possessed with a devil. Matt. ix. 32. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A very wicked person; hence, any great evil. “That devil Glendower.” “The devil drunkenness.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John vi. 70. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or, ironically, of negation. [ Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a timepleaser. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Cookery) A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Manuf.) A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Blue devils. See under Blue. --
Cartesian devil. See under Cartesian. --
Devil bird (Zool.), one of two or more South African drongo shrikes (Edolius retifer, and Edolius remifer), believed by the natives to be connected with sorcery. --
Devil may care, reckless, defiant of authority; -- used adjectively. Longfellow. --
Devil's apron (Bot.), the large kelp (Laminaria saccharina, and Laminaria longicruris) of the Atlantic ocean, having a blackish, leathery expansion, shaped somewhat like an apron. --
Devil's coachhorse. (Zool.) (a) The black rove beetle (Ocypus olens). [ Eng. ] (b) A large, predacious, hemipterous insect (Prionotus cristatus); the wheel bug. [ U.S. ] --
Devil's darning-needle. (Zool.) See under Darn, v. t. --
Devil's fingers,
Devil's hand (Zool.), the common British starfish (Asterias rubens); -- also applied to a sponge with stout branches. [ Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot. ] --
Devil's riding-horse (Zool.), the American mantis (Mantis Carolina). --
The Devil's tattoo, a drumming with the fingers or feet. “Jack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his boot heels.” F. Hardman (Blackw. Mag.). --
Devil worship, worship of the power of evil; -- still practiced by barbarians who believe that the good and evil forces of nature are of equal power. --
Printer's devil, the youngest apprentice in a printing office, who runs on errands, does dirty work (as washing the ink rollers and sweeping), etc. “Without fearing the printer's devil or the sheriff's officer.” Macaulay. --
Tasmanian devil (Zool.), a very savage carnivorous marsupial of Tasmania (Dasyurus ursinus syn. Diabolus ursinus). --
To play devil with, to molest extremely; to ruin. [ Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deviled r Devilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Deviling r Devilling. ] 1. To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a devil. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To grill with Cayenne pepper; to season highly in cooking, as with pepper. [ 1913 Webster ]

A deviled leg of turkey. W. Irving.

/mhw>, n.. (Zool.) A small water bird. See Dabchick. [ 1913 Webster ]

a hard-boiled egg, sliced into halves and with the yolk removed and replaced with a paste, usually made from the yolk and mayonnaise, seasoned with salt and/or spices such as paprika. [ PJC ]

n. A she-devil. [ R. ] Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A little devil. [ R. ] Barham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) A huge ray (Manta birostris or Cephaloptera vampyrus) of the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Atlantic coasts. Several other related species take the same name. See Cephaloptera. (b) A large cephalopod, especially the very large species of Octopus and Architeuthis. See Octopus. (c) The gray whale of the Pacific coast. See Gray whale. (d) The goosefish or angler (Lophius), and other allied fishes. See Angler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A young devil. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Resembling, characteristic of, or pertaining to, the devil; diabolical; wicked in the extreme. “Devilish wickedness.” Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. James iii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Extreme; excessive. [ Colloq. ] Dryden.

Syn. -- Diabolical; infernal; hellish; satanic; wicked; malicious; detestable; destructive.

-- Dev"il*ish*ly, adv. -- Dev"il*ish*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of the devil or of devils; doctrine of the devil or of devils. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make a devil of. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He that should deify a saint, should wrong him as much as he that should devilize him. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A little devil; a devilet. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. cheerfully irresponsible.
Syn. -- carefree, happy-go-lucky, harum-scarum, slaphappy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness.
Syn. -- raffish, rakish. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Deviltry. Bp. Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Devilries 1. Conduct suitable to the devil; extreme wickedness; deviltry. [ 1913 Webster ]

Stark lies and devilry. Sir T. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The whole body of evil spirits. Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Zool.) A dragon fly. See Darning needle, under Darn, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The character or person of a devil or the devil. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Deviltries Diabolical conduct; malignant mischief; devilry. C. Reade. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) A kind of tree (Osmanthus Americanus), allied to the European olive. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. devius; de + via way. See Viaduct. ] 1. Out of a straight line; winding; varying from directness; as, a devious path or way. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Going out of the right or common course; going astray; erring; wandering; as, a devious step.

Syn. -- Wandering; roving; rambling; vagrant.

-- De"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- De"vi*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. devirginatus, p. p. of devirginare. ] Deprived of virginity. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To deprive of virginity; to deflower. [ R. ] Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. devirginatio. ] A deflowering. [ R. ] Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Devise. ] 1. Capable of being devised, invented, or contrived. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being bequeathed, or given by will. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A devising. Whitney. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To devise curious works. Ex. CCTV. 32. [ 1913 Webster ]

Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain. [ 1913 Webster ]

For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore
They are which fortunes do by vows devise. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To say; to relate; to describe. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To imagine; to guess. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider. [ 1913 Webster ]

I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. devise division, deliberation, wish, will, testament. See Device. ] 1. The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; -- sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of a will making a gift of real property. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fines upon devises were still exacted. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Property devised, or given by will. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Device. See Device. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One to whom a devise is made, or real estate given by will. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who devises. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One who devises, or gives real estate by will; a testator; -- correlative to devisee. [ 1913 Webster ]