Definition of "device"

Every cycle shall be equipped with: [...] (b) an audible warning device consisting of a bell [...]

1949. Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Chapter VI. Provisions Applicable to Cycles in International Traffic

An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.

2013 June 1, “A better waterworks”, in The Economist‎, volume 407, number 8838, page 5 (Technology Quarterly)

His device is against Babylon, to destroy it.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Jeremiah 51:11

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Job 5:12

Their recent device of demanding benevolences.

1827, Henry Hallam, The English Constitution, Harper

Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story.

2012 March, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 February 2013, page 106

Inflammable material is planted in my head / It's a suspect device that's left 2000 dead

1979, Stiff Little Fingers, Suspect Device

THE ARMY BOMB Disposal Team rendered safe a viable device in Cavan this afternoon.

2014 September 3, Cliodhna Russell, “A viable device was found in Cavan today, it has now been made safe”, in The Journal

The army bomb squad carried out two controlled explosions on the device. It was later found that the suspect device was a hoax and not a viable explosive.

2014 August 3, Louise Kelly, Conor Feehan, “Suspect device found at shopping centre revealed as hoax”, in Irish Independent

The devices of these savages are the serpent, the Deer, and the Small Acorn.

1736. O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey. The Documentary History of the State of New York Chapter I, Article III: Enumeration of the Indian Tribes.

Moreover I must have instruments of mine own device, weighty, and exceeding costly

1824, Walter Savage Landor, “King Henry IV and Sir Arnold Savage”, in Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen, page 44

And she said,"We are all prisoners here,Of our own device"

1976, The Eagles, Hotel California

Prior to the issuance of the first stamps, letters accepted by postmasters for dispatch were marked "Paid" by means of pen and ink or hand stamps of various designs. [...] To facilitate the handling of mail matter, some postmasters provided special stamps or devices for use on letters as evidence of the prepayment of postage.

1943 United States Post Office Department. A Description of United States Postage Stamps / Issued by the Post Office Department from July 1, 1847, to April 1, 1945 [sic], USGPO, Washington, p1

It will be out of faſhion to weare ſwords, / Maſques, and devices welcome, I ſalute you […]

c. 1634, James Shirley (falsely attributed to John Fletcher), The Coronation