device

«device» in Mova's school dictionary: a machine or tool made for a special job, like a phone, a… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

noun (a device, devices)

meaning for a pupil

1) A device is a machine or tool made for a special job, like a phone, a tablet or a can opener. tree →

2) A device is a clever way or trick used to get a result, like a plan or a technique in writing. tree →

sense in the lessons

In everyday life «devices» often means phones, tablets and computers: «Put your devices away at dinner.» In online safety lessons you learn to keep devices locked with passwords and to tell an adult about worrying messages. In science and design technology, a device is something built to do a task. In English lessons a «literary device» is a writing trick like a simile. Phrases: «electronic device», «safety device», «mobile device», «leave someone to their own devices» (let them do what they like).

examples

• Please turn off all devices during the test. tree →
• A smoke alarm is a safety device. tree →
• He invented a device to water plants automatically. tree →
• My tablet is my favourite device. tree →
• Keep your device locked with a passcode. tree →
• Rhyme is a device poets use. tree →
• The teacher left us to our own devices for ten minutes. tree →
• A thermometer is a device for measuring temperature. tree →
• The Cat was no longer able to get at them and perceived that she must tempt them forth by some device. tree →

note

Countable: devices. Trap: «device» (noun, a thing, says -vice like «ice») vs «devise» (verb, to plan or invent, says -vise like «eyes»): «She devised a clever device.»

In the corpora

• Inflatable armbands and pool toys are not life-saving devices.
• Never use mains electrical things near a full bath or sink, because a device falling in can electrocute the person in the water.
• Devices stay away from the table, because meals are a time to talk.
• A hearing aid is a small device that helps a person hear; you respect it and never touch it.
• Filters on school devices are there to keep children safe online.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «device» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.