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.
When a captain is killed or wounded, the command of a ship should devolve upon the first lieutenant.
Wikipedia foundation.
devolve — de‧volve [dɪˈvɒlv ǁ dɪˈvɑːlv] verb 1. [transitive] to give work, responsibility, or power to someone at a lower or more local level: • The goal of the welfare bill is to devolve power and responsibility to the states. 2. [intransitive] LAW if… … Financial and business terms
devolve — de·volve /di vȯlv, välv/ vi de·volved, de·volv·ing [Medieval Latin devolvi, passive of devolvere to roll down, from Latin, from de down, away + volvere to roll] 1: to pass by transfer or succession the estate devolved to a distant cousin 2: to… … Law dictionary
Devolve (EP) — Devolve EP by Shihad Released 1990 (Vinyl) 1991 (CD) The Devolve EP is now infamous in Shihad fan culture as something of a holy grail. Ori … Wikipedia
devolve — ► VERB 1) transfer (power) to a lower level, especially from central government to local or regional administration. 2) (devolve on/to) (of duties or responsibility) pass to (a deputy or successor). 3) (devolve on/to) Law (of property) pass from… … English terms dictionary
devolve — is a verb of reviving fortunes in the age of political devolution. Its three principal uses are as follows: (1) you devolve powers, authority, etc., on or upon someone, (2) power, authority, etc., devolves on or upon someone, and (3) a right,… … Modern English usage
Devolve — De*volve , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devolved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Devolving}.] [L. devolvere, devolutum, to roll down; de + volvere to roll down; de + volvere to roll. See {Voluble}.] 1. To roll onward or downward; to pass on. [1913 Webster] Every… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Devolve — De*volve , v. i. To pass by transmission or succession; to be handed over or down; generally with on or upon, sometimes with to or into; as, after the general fell, the command devolved upon (or on) the next officer in rank. [1913 Webster] His… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
devolve on — index delegate Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
devolve — early 15c., to roll down, from L. devolvere to roll down, from de (see DE (Cf. de )) + volvere to roll (see VULVA (Cf. vulva)). Figurative sense of to cause to pass down is from 1520s. Related: Devolved; devolving. Also in same sense was devolute … Etymology dictionary
devolve — [di välv′, divôlv′] vt. devolved, devolving [ME devolven < L devolvere, to roll down < de , down + volvere, to roll: see WALK] to transfer or pass on (duties, responsibilities, etc.) to another or others vi. 1. to pass or be transferred to… … English World dictionary
devolve — de|volve [dıˈvɔlv US dıˈva:lv] v formal [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: devolvere, from volvere to roll ] 1.) [I and T] if you devolve responsibility, power etc to a person or group at a lower level, or if it devolves on them, it is given to… … Dictionary of contemporary English
