devolve

See also devolvé

English

Etymology

From Latin dēvolvere, present active infinitive of dēvolvō (“roll or tumble off or down”), from dē + volvō (“roll”).

Verb

devolve (third-person singular simple present devolves, present participle devolving, simple past and past participle devolved)

1. (transitive) to delegate something to someone else
   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Episode 16

     For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.

2. (intransitive) to be inherited by someone; to come into the hands of

   When a captain is killed or wounded, the command of a ship should devolve upon the first lieutenant.

3. (intransitive) to slowly degrade

   A discussion about politics may devolve into a shouting match.

Related terms

• devolution

Translations

to delegate something to someone else

Bulgarian: предавам (bg), прехвърлям (bg)

Russian: передавать (ru)

to be inherited by someone

Bulgarian: пада се на (bg)

Russian: переходить (ru)

Anagrams

• evolved

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Italian

Verb

devolve

1. third-person singular present indicative of devolvere

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Latin

Verb

dēvolve

1. second-person singular present active imperative of dēvolvō