Definitions

1. noun

a trick or device to avoid or evade a problem or difficulty

“The company used a devance to sidestep the issue and avoid financial losses.”

2. noun

a clever or ingenious move

“The chess player made a devance that caught her opponent off guard.”

3. verb

to avoid or evade a problem or difficulty, often by clever or deceitful means

“The politician was accused of devancing the truth to avoid controversy.”