devolve

[dih-volv]

verb (used with object)

devolved, devolving 

1. to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another; pass on.

2. Obsolete.,  to cause to roll downward.

verb (used without object)

devolved, devolving 

1. to be transferred or passed on from one to another.

   The responsibility devolved on me.

2. Archaic.,  to roll or flow downward.

devolve

/ dɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. to pass or cause to pass to a successor or substitute, as duties, power, etc

2. (intr; foll by on or upon) law (of an estate, etc) to pass to another by operation of law, esp on intestacy or bankruptcy

3. (intr; foll by on or upon) to depend (on)

   your argument devolves on how you interpret this clause

4. archaic,  to roll down or cause to roll down

Other Word Forms

• devolvement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

1375–1425; late Middle English devolven < Latin dēvolvere to roll down, equivalent to dē- de- + volvere to roll

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

C15: from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall into, from _de- + volvere to roll

Example Sentences

As he devolves in the dark, decaying shadow dimension, he becomes less and less human in both spirit and appearance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Keep your regular schedule as much as possible, get good sleep and leave while everything’s going well instead of thinking it’s going great and staying until it starts to devolve.”

Read more on Salon

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her Budget - but because many powers are devolved to the Scottish government, not all the measures she announced will apply north of the border.

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The block grant paid to the Scottish government by the UK Treasury is adjusted relative to what is spent on devolved services like health and education in England.

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It will focus on what action the UK government, devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and local authorities took, how well schemes were designed and what was done to minimise fraud and waste.

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When To Use

What does devolve mean?

To devolve means to transfer or pass on from one to another, as in The discussion about world economics devolved into talking about who earns more money.To devolve also means to delegate or pass on responsibility to another, as in When the governor stepped down from office, his duties devolved to the lieutenant governor.Example: I usually devolve my weekly writeup to my assistant.