devolve

UK: /dɪˈvɒlv/ US: /dɪˈvɑlv/ ,(di volv′)

Inflections of 'devolve' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

devolves

v 3rd person singular

devolving

v pres p

devolved

v past

devolved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•volve /dɪˈvɑlv/   v., -volved, -volv•ing. 

1. to transfer or delegate (a duty, etc.) to another;
   pass on:
   [~ + object] The company president has devolved decision-making to the department managers.
2. to be transferred or passed on from one to another:
   [no object] The responsibility devolved on me.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•volve  (di volv′), v., -volved, -volv•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another;
   pass on.
2. [Obs.] to cause to roll downward.

v.i. 

3. to be transferred or passed on from one to another:
   The responsibility devolved on me.
4. [Archaic.] to roll or flow downward.

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

de•volve′ment, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

devolve / dɪˈvɒlv/ verb

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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall into, from de- + volvere to roll

deˈvolvement noun