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.
His
estate . . . devolved to
Lord Somerville.
Johnson.
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.
Hear it pronounced