devolve








verb (used with object), de·volved, de·volv·ing.

  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), de·volved, de·volv·ing.

  1. to be transferred or passed on from one to another: The responsibility devolved on me.
  2. Archaic. to roll or flow downward.

verb

  1. (foll by on, upon, to, etc) 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
v.

early 15c., “to roll down,” from Latin devolvere “to roll down,” from de- (see de-) + volvere “to roll” (see volvox). Figurative sense of “to cause to pass down” is from 1520s. Related: Devolved; devolving. Also in same sense was devolute (1530s), from Latin devolutus, past participle of devolvere.

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