The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Device \De*vice"\, 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.
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            Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
                                                  --Hallam.
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            He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. --Job v.
                                                  12.
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   2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
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            I must have instruments of my own device. --Landor.
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   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.
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                Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by
                devices on their shields.         --Addison.
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                A banner with this strange device
                Excelsior.                        --Longfellow.
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   4. Anything fancifully conceived. --Shak.
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   5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
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   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.

   Usage: -- 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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

device
    n 1: an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the
         device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device
         intended to conserve water"
    2: something in an artistic work designed to achieve a
       particular effect
    3: any clever maneuver; "he would stoop to any device to win a
       point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions
       gimmick for greedy businessmen" [syn: device, gimmick,
       twist]
    4: any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery)
    5: an emblematic design (especially in heraldry); "he was
       recognized by the device on his shield"

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 January 2023):

peripheral
device
peripheral device

    (Or "peripheral device", "device") Any part of a
   computer other than the CPU or working memory,
   i.e. disks, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers,
   scanners, tape drives, microphones, speakers,
   cameras, to list just the less exotic ones.

   High speed working memory, such as RAM, ROM or, in the
   old days, core would not normally be referred to as
   peripherals.  The more modern term "device" is also more
   general in that it is used for things such as a pseudo-tty,
   a RAM drive, or a network adapter.

   Some argue that, since the advent of the personal computer,
   the motherboard, hard disk, keyboard, mouse, and monitor
   are all parts of the base system, and only use the term
   "peripheral" for optional additional components.

   (2002-09-03)