dəˈvaɪs ˈɡɪm.ɪk twɪst 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 an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose the device is small enough to wear on your wrist a device intended to conserve water an emblematic design (especially in heraldry) he was recognized by the device on his shield any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery) something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect