devolve

American  

[dih-volv] / dɪˈvɒlv /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• devolvement noun

Etymology

Origin of devolve

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

Example Sentences

In the Senedd, Davies said he wanted "equality for our country within the United Kingdom", having earlier argued that policing powers should also be devolved to Wales.

From BBC

"It was pandemonium and chaos," another attendee, who identified himself as Barry, said as he described watching a throng of people trying to escape the scene that had suddenly devolved into a nightmare.

From BBC

But he demonstrated Wednesday that his leadership remains intact—and strong enough to prevent tension in the Fed’s dual mandate from devolving into deleterious tension within the committee.

From Barron's

The bill - which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland where employment law is devolved - has been described by the government as the "biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation".

From BBC

"We are calling on all the devolved nations to commit to eradicating corridor care" he said.

From BBC