devolve
Use Devolve in a sentence
verb (used with object)
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)
3.
to be transferred or passed on from one to another: The responsibility devolved on me.
4.
Archaic. to roll or flow downward.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English devolven < Latin dēvolvere to roll down, equivalent to dē- de- + volvere to roll
1375–1425; late Middle English devolven < Latin dēvolvere to roll down, equivalent to dē- de- + volvere to roll
Related forms
de·volve·ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To devolve
00:10
Devolve
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is absquatulate. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to flee; abscond: |
Collins
World English Dictionary
devolve (dɪˈvɒlv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (foll by on, upon, to, | |
| 1. | to pass or cause to pass to a successor or substitute, as duties, power, etc |
| 2. | (intr; |
| 3. | (intr; |
| 4. | archaic to roll down or cause to roll down |
| [C15: from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall into, from | |
| de'volvement | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
devolve
c.1420, from L. devolvere "to roll down," from de- + volvere "to roll" (see vulva).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The constant worry is that direct talks will devolve into recriminations and new violence.
The argument for legalizing pot evolves as other arguments devolve.
Characters devolve into ideas that have somehow found human hosts.
Please consider that solutions which begin with voluntary austerity devolve rapidly to enforced privation.
Matching Quote
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
