devolve

devolve
a) to delegate something to someone else

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.

b) 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.

See Also: devolution

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  • 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

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