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.
Every headlong stream Devolves its winding waters to
the main. --Akenside.
Devolved his rounded periods. --Tennyson.
2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over;
to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or
into.
They devolved a considerable share of their power
upon their favorite. --Burke.
They devolved their whole authority into the hands
of the council of sixty. --Addison.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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