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devolve
[ dih-volv ]
verb (used with object)
- to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another; pass on.
- Obsolete. to cause to roll downward.
verb (used without object)
- to be transferred or passed on from one to another:
The responsibility devolved on me.
- Archaic. to roll or flow downward.
devolve
/ ɪˈɒ /
verb
- foll byon, upon, to, etc to pass or cause to pass to a successor or substitute, as duties, power, etc
- intr; foll by on or upon law (of an estate, etc) to pass to another by operation of law, esp on intestacy or bankruptcy
- intr; foll by on or upon to depend (on)
your argument devolves on how you interpret this clause
- archaic.to roll down or cause to roll down
Derived Forms
- ˈDZԳ, noun
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·DZmԳ noun
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of devolve1
Example Sentences
Her first date with Henry quickly devolves into a living nightmare — and not just the kind where you find out that the person sitting across from you is, like, really into deadlifting.
When they were first envisaged parliament was not meant to legislate in devolved areas without the Senedd's permission via an LCM, but it is not legally binding.
An electronic score by John Carroll Kirby apes the sound of the era but devolves into abstraction as the story develops into something darker.
From 2026 funding will be devolved to regional transport bodies, with the Welsh government no longer ring-fencing the cash to be spent.
A second motion, which was brought forward by the RFU board, called for the expedition of governance reform, devolving more power to the community game.
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More About Devolve
What does devolve mean?
To devolve means to transfer or pass on from one to another, as in The discussion about world economics devolved into talking about who earns more money.
To devolve also means to delegate or pass on responsibility to another, as in When the governor stepped down from office, his duties devolved to the lieutenant governor.
Example: I usually devolve my weekly writeup to my assistant.
Where does devolve come from?
The first records of the term devolve come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin ŧDZ, meaning “to roll down.” Devolve was once used to mean “roll down,” but now it is more often used to mean “delegate or pass down,” which is a rolling down of sorts.
One figurative use of devolve is as an antonym for evolve. When used this way, it combines the meaning of “delegation” with the meaning of “rolling down” to describe a scene or event that has become chaotic and unsupportable.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to devolve?
- devolving (noun)
- devolvement (noun)
What are some synonyms for devolve?
What are some words that share a root or word element with devolve?
- evolve
- devolvement
What are some words that often get used in discussing devolve?
How is devolve used in real life?
Devolve is usually used in business analytics or general business discussions to talk about shifting the responsibilities of one member of a company to another.
The only downside to having such smart, rational friends is you're often not allowed to devolve into chaos.
— Ashly Perez 🤙🏽 (@itsashlyperez)
The hour of the day when class leaves and, for this fleeting hour, it feels like there's nothing pressing to do.
Scientific inquiry: how does the rest of the day devolve into wtf did the time go and how can I even think with all there is to do?
— Elissa Field (@elissafield)
Snapchat has let their Discover section devolve into the tabloid rack in a grocery store checkout line.
— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen)
Try using devolve!
Is devolve used correctly in the following sentence?
The whole show devolved into a complicated mess that no one could follow.
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