Devising & Inventing.

[MWB]

What's the difference between devising something or inventing something?

[Quizmonster]

In my thesaurus, under devise, invent is one of the synonyms and vice versa for invent. That would suggest that, in many instances, there is no difference.

[Quizmonster]

In support of the above, Chambers Dictionary, under devise, lists imagine, compose, scheme, think out and contrive. Under invent, it lists devise, contrive, design originate and compose. As you can see, the duplications in the two lists are quite telling.

[dot.hawkes]

I devise plans at work for overcoming problems in many areas, I work within existing strategies and guidelines. I don't invent anything really, the tools i use already exist and are in use, i just implement a new way of addressing an issue.

[Quizmonster]

Did anyone else devise these plans before you did, Dot? I ask because, if the answer is 'No', then you invented them. The word invent comes from the Latin meaning to come upon and one can, of course, come upon things by working towards them as well as just discovering them 'lying around', as it were.
An invention is just "a new way of addressing an issue", as you say yourself. I think, therefore, that you are being unduly modest about what you do.

[dot.hawkes]

This week I have designed and implemented a new system on the area which will save the company thousands, it is a stock recovery programme that was long over due and had never been addressed nor thought through. I suppose i did create a system that did not exist and it is already proving that it not only works but it is also successful, oooo QM you've made me feel quite chuffed lol

[Quizmonster]

I am perfectly sure you deserve to feel so, ma'am!