Device
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Case Law, U.S. Code, Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Anderson (1889)
Definitions from Case Law
From 209 U.S. 56 - Armour Packing Company v. United States · 1908Most cited · 1,016 citing opinions
A device need not be necessarily fraudulent; the term includes anything which is a plan or contrivance. Webster defines it to be 'that which is devised or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project,' etc.
United States Code
7 U.S.C. § 136 — for purposes of this subchapter
The term “device” means any instrument or contrivance (other than a firearm) which is intended for trapping, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest or any other form of plant or animal life (other than man and other than bacteria, virus, or other microorganism on or in living man or other living animals); but not including equipment used for the application of pesticides when sold separately therefrom.
18 U.S.C. § 2282A — in this section
The term “device” means any object that, because of its physical, mechanical, structural, or chemical properties, has the capacity to cause damage to a vessel or its cargo, or cause interference with the safe navigation of a vessel.
42 U.S.C. § 287A — in this section (4 versions over time)
The terms “drug” and “device” have the meanings given such terms in section 321 of title 21.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
That which is devised or formed by design, a contrivance, an Invention. Henderson v. State, 59 Ala. 91; Armour Packing Co. v. U. S., 209 U. S. 56, 28 Sup. Ct above definition The court held that the act sought t" reach all mean- by which unlawful pi or received; that it was: tentlon of Con-;.» limit the obtaii I to fraudulent I that the term "device" Includes anything which plan or contrivance.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
An invention or contrivance; any result of design; as in the phrase "gambling device," which means a machine or contrivance of any kind for the playing of an uniawful game of chance or hazard. State v. Blackstone, 115 Mo. 424, 22 S. W. 370. Also, a plan or project; a scheme to trick or deceive; a stratagem or artifice; as in the laws relating to fraud and cheating. State v. Smith, 82 Minn. 342, 85 N. W. 12. Also an emblem, pictorial representation or distinguishing mark or sign of any kind; as in the laws prohibiting the marking of ballots used in publlc elections with "any device." Baxter v. Ellis, 111 N. C. 124, 15 S. E. 938, 17 Ij. R. A. 382; Owens v. State, 64 Tex. 509; Steele r. Calhoun, 61 Miss. 556. In a statute against gaming devices, this term la to be understood as meaning something formed by design, a contrivance, an invention. It is to be distinguished from "substitute," which means something put in the place of another thing, or used instead of something else. Henderson v. State, 59 Ala. 91.
In patent law. A plan or contrivance, or an application, adjusiment, shaping, or combination of materiuis or members, for the purpose of accomplishing a particular result or serving a particular use, chiefly by mechanical means and usually simple in character or not highly complex, but involving the exercise of the inventive faculty.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
See Equivalent, 3; Patent, 3.