devolve

present singular third person devolves · participle present devolving · participle past devolved · past devolved

1. intransitiveTo be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder.First known use 16th c.

   an accident […] rendered him permanently lame, and therefore unfitted him, in the opinion of his parents, to inherit his father's many titles, which, it was then arranged, should devolve upon his younger brother.

   1932, Duff Cooper, Talleyrand, Folio Society, published 2010, page 4

   Synonyms: pass down

2. transitiveTo delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone.First known use 17th c.

   Near-synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down

   Synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down

   1. especiallytransitiveusuallya federal one to a federated oneTo transfer authority and responsibility for (something) to (another entity).

      Despite being a unitary state, the Government of the United Kingdom devolved many matters to the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

      3 more examples

      They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty.

      1704, Joseph Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy

      An artful man became popular, the people had power in their hands, and they devolved a considerable share of their power upon their favourite […].

      1756, Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful

      Shapps retains responsibility for rail safety in Scotland, with only the operation of track and train devolved to Transport Scotland.

      2020 August 26, “Network News: Shapps orders rapid review of flash flood resilience from NR”, in Rail, page 8

      Synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down

3. intransitiveTo fall as a duty or responsibility on or upon someone.First known use 18th c.

   For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.

   , Episode 16

   1. especiallyintransitiveTo shift or to be transferred from a central government to a local one, a federal one to a federated one, etc.

      Many legislative powers devolved to the new Scottish parliament in 1999.

4. intransitiveTo degenerate; to break down.First known use 18th c.

   A discussion about politics may devolve into a shouting match.

   Synonyms: deteriorate, atrophy, break down, crack, decline, deteriorate, degenerate, confound · Antonyms: evolve, improve

5. obsoletetransitiveTo roll (something) down; to unroll.First known use 15th–19th c.

   Near-synonyms: unwind, unfurl

   2 more examples

   every headlong stream / Devolves its winding waters to the main.

   1744, Mark Akenside, The Pleasures of the Imagination, section II

   He spake of virtue […] And with […] a lack-lustre dead-blue eye, Devolved his rounded periods.

   1830, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Character

   Synonyms: roll down, unwind, unfurl