Category:Devolve

De*volve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Devolved; p. pr. & vb. n. Devolving.] Etym: [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. Every headlong stream Devolves its winding waters to the main. Akenside. Devolved his rounded periods. Tennyson.

2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over; to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or into. They devolved a considerable share of their power upon their favorite. Burke. They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty. Addison.

devolve De*volve", v. i.

Defn: To pass by transmission or succession; to be handed over or down; -- generally with on or upon, sometimes with to or into; as, after the general fell, the command devolved upon (or on) the next officer in rank. His estate. . . devolved to Lord Somerville. Johnson.