Devolve — Defs

01 v. t. To roll onward or downward; to pass on.

imp. & p. p. Devolved; p. pr. & vb. n. Devolving

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.

02 v. i. 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 ge…

1.
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.