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Synonyms
de·volve (dĭ-vŏlv́)

[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.]

verb: -volved, -volv·ing, -volves. 

transitive verb 

  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.

intransitive verb 

  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.

derivatives

de·volvément
noun