device
[noun]
Synonyms:
- gadget, apparatus, appliance, contraption, implement, instrument, machine, tool
- ploy, gambit, manoeuvre, plan, scheme, stratagem, trick, wile

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Related Words: appliance, implement, instrument, tool, utensil, apparatus, machine, mechanism, expedient, makeshift, resort, resource, shift, creation, invention, dingus, doohickey, hickey, thingumbob, attribute, emblem, symbol, type, insignia, motto

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English Thesaurus: bomb, explosives, device, IED, mine, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

de‧vice S3 W2 AC /dɪˈvaɪs/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: devis, devise 'division, plan', from deviser 'to divide, tell'; ⇒ devise]

1. a machine or tool that does a special job Synonym : gadget:
modern labour-saving devices
device for doing something
a device for separating metal from garbage
device to do something
The company makes devices to detect carbon monoxide.

2. a special way of doing something that makes it easier to do
device for doing something
Testing yourself with information on cards is a useful device for studying.
a memory device

3. a plan or trick, especially for a dishonest purpose
device to do something
Their proposal was only a device to confuse the opposition.

4. a bomb or other explosive weapon
explosive/nuclear/incendiary etc device

5. the special use of words in literature, or of words, lights etc in a play, to achieve an effect:
Metaphor is a common literary device.
⇒ leave somebody to their own devices at leave¹(4)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

device
noun
ADJ. clever, ingenious | labour-saving, useful | complex, sophisticated | simple | hi-tech | hand-held | automatic, electrical, electronic, mechanical | bugging, contraceptive, measuring, safety, timing, warning Police found several bugging devices in the room.
explosive, incendiary An incendiary device exploded in the store, setting fire to furniture.
VERB + DEVICE be fitted with, have All new cars are now fitted with these safety devices.
design, develop, make | use He measured the room using an ingenious new electronic device.
DEVICE + VERB consist of sth The device consists of a large wheel mounted on a metal post.
be designed to a tiny device designed to trace telephone calls
work The device worked exactly as I'd hoped.
PREP. ~ for a useful device for checking electrical circuits

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

device

an electronic device
The shops are always full of new electronic devices.
a mechanical device (=using power from an engine or machine)
One day it will be technically possible to replace patients’ hearts with mechanical devices.
a simple device
He invented a simple device for chopping onions.
a clever device (=made using a clever idea)
This clever little device rings to tell you where you left your keys.
a labour-saving device British English, a labor-saving device American English (=that reduces the amount of work you have to do)
Modern houses have so many labour-saving devices.
a security device (=designed to protect against crime)
Cars today have better alarms and security devices.
a safety device (=designed to keep people safe)
The accident happened because a simple safety device wasn’t properly fitted.
a handheld device (=that you hold in your hand)
This is a handheld device for playing electronic games.
a storage device (=a computer device for storing information electronically)
You may need an additional storage device if you have a lot of data.
a medical device
The company makes medical devices that use laser technology for correcting eye disorders.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

bomb a weapon that explodes:
The bomb exploded on a bus in Jerusalem during the city’s morning rush hour.
Fifty-five people were injured in a car bomb attack in Baghdad.
Morrow was convicted in 1998 of sending four letter bombs (=a small bomb hidden in a package and sent to someone in order to hurt or kill them) to government officials.
People were worried that terrorists would try to detonate a dirty bomb (=a bomb that contains nuclear materials )in the city centre.
explosives bombs or substances that can cause explosions:
They used explosives to blow the door off the front of the building.
The car was packed with 1,000 lbs of high explosives (=powerful explosives).
device a bomb – used especially in news reports:
Police found the device hidden in a suitcase.
A bomb threat was received and the building was evacuated, but no device was found.
IED a bomb that has been made using whatever materials are available, especially one used to blow up soldiers travelling through a place. IED is short for ‘improvised explosive device’:
Several soldiers were killed when an IED exploded as their convoy drove by.
mine a type of bomb that is hidden just below the ground or under water, and that explodes when it is touched:
The fields are still full of landmines.
The ship struck a mine and sank.
grenade (also hand grenade) a small bomb that can be thrown by hand or fired from a special gun:
He pulled the pin and threw a grenade toward the enemy’s position.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

machine a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power such as electricity to do a particular job:
a washing machine
an X-ray machine
Staff are trained to operate the machine.
appliance formal a machine or piece of electrical equipment, usually a large one, that people use in the home:
The store sells kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and toasters.
We carry out repairs on a range of household appliances.
device a piece of equipment, usually a small electronic one, that does a special job:
electronic listening devices
50,000 people downloaded the music to computers or portable devices such as iPods.
The device is fitted to the car and can detect stationary objects ahead.
gadget a small, useful, and cleverly-designed tool or machine:
high-tech gadgets
He buys all the latest gadgets.
contraption a machine or piece of equipment that looks strange or complicated:
There was a bizarre contraption for polishing the floor.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲