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devolve

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅volve

  [di-volv] verb, -volved, -volv⋅ing.
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 ME devolven < L dēvolvere to roll down, equiv. to dē- de- + volvere to roll

Related forms:
de⋅volve⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To devolve
de·volve   (dĭ-vŏlv')   
v.   de·volved, de·volv·ing, de·volves

v.   tr.

  1. To pass on or delegate to another: The senator devolved the duties of office upon a group of aides.

  2. Archaic To cause to roll onward or downward.

v.   intr.

  1. To be passed on or transferred to another: The burden of proof devolved upon the defendant. The estate devolved to an unlikely heir.

  2. To degenerate or deteriorate gradually: After several hours the discussion had devolved into a shouting match.

  3. Archaic To roll onward or downward.


[Middle English devolven, to transfer, from Old French devolver, to confer, ascribe, from Latin dēvolvere, to roll down, fall to : dē-, de- + volvere, to roll; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
de·volve'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

devolve 
c.1420, from L. devolvere "to roll down," from de- + volvere "to roll" (see vulva).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·volve
Pronunciation: di-'volv, -'välv
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: de·volved; de·volv·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin devolvi, passive of devolvere to roll down, from Latin, from de down, away + volvere to roll
1 : to pass by transfer or succession devolved to a distant cousin>
2 : to fall or be passed usually as an obligation or responsibility devolve on the Vice President —U.S. Constitution article II>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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