devolve

[ dih-volv ]

verb (used with object)

, de·volved, de·volv·ing.

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)

, de·volved, de·volv·ing.

1. to be transferred or passed on from one to another:

   The responsibility devolved on me.

2. Archaic. to roll or flow downward.

devolve

/ dɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. foll byon, upon, to, etc to pass or cause to pass to a successor or substitute, as duties, power, etc
2. intr; foll by on or upon law (of an estate, etc) to pass to another by operation of law, esp on intestacy or bankruptcy
3. intr; foll by on or upon to depend (on)

   your argument devolves on how you interpret this clause

4. archaic.
   to roll down or cause to roll down

Derived Forms

• deˈvolvement, noun

Other Words From

• de·volvement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

1375–1425; late Middle English devolven < Latin dēvolvere to roll down, equivalent to dē- de- + volvere to roll

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

C15: from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall into, from de- + volvere to roll

Example Sentences

Under the party’s plans, all pensioners would receive a payment via a devolved benefit, though it would be tapered so that the wealthiest households received less.

From BBC

The panel is in the first stage of the investigation set up by the devolved government.

From BBC

Pharmacy funding is set by devolved governments but the medicine funding arrangements - known as the drug tariff – are decided by Westminster for pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From BBC

Westminster Labour, however, supports the principle the Senedd gives its consent to MPs' legislation in devolved areas, having promised to strengthen it at the last general election.

From BBC

"We are also working in close partnership with NHS England and the devolved governments to distribute available stock and prioritise patients with critical needs."

From BBC

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 dēvolvere, 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?

• transfer
• delegate
• decline
• degenerate

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?

• chaos
• delegate
• responsibility
• roll
• work

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) May 25, 2016

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? pic.twitter.com/hWBpnymVvZ

— Elissa Field (@elissafield) November 1, 2021

Snapchat has let their Discover section devolve into the tabloid rack in a grocery store checkout line.

— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) May 3, 2017

 

 

Try using devolve!

Is devolve used correctly in the following sentence?

The whole show devolved into a complicated mess that no one could follow.