- Devolve
- Devolve De*volve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devolved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Devolving}.] [L. devolvere, devolutum, to roll down;
de + volvere to roll down; de + volvere to roll. See
{Voluble}.]
1. To roll onward or downward; to pass on.
[1913 Webster]
Every headlong stream Devolves its winding waters to the main. --Akenside. [1913 Webster]
Devolved his rounded periods. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over; to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or into. [1913 Webster]
They devolved a considerable share of their power upon their favorite. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
