Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Devolve
De-volve′
,Verb.
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.
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.
De-volve′
,Verb.
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 general fell, the command
. devolved
upon (or on) the next officer in rankHis estate . . .
devolved
to Lord Somerville. Johnson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Devolve
DEVOLVE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To roll down; to pour or flow with windings.Through splendid kingdoms he devolves his maze.
2.
To move from one person to another; to deliver over, or from one possessor to a successor.The king devolved the care and disposition of affairs on the duke or Ormond.
DEVOLVE
,Verb.
I.