Lexic.us

Definition of Devolve

1. Verb. Pass on or delegate to another. "The representative devolved his duties to his aides while he was in the hospital"

2. Verb. Be inherited by. "The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead"

3. Verb. Grow worse. "The discussion devolved into a shouting match"

Definition of Devolve

1. v. t. To roll onward or downward; to pass on.

2. 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.

Definition of Devolve

1. Verb. (transitive) to delegate something to someone else ¹

2. Verb. (intransitive) to be inherited by someone; to come into the hands of ¹

3. Verb. (intransitive) to slowly degrade ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Devolve

1. to transfer from one person to another [v -VOLVED, -VOLVING, -VOLVES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Devolve

devoid of(p) devoidness devoir devoirs devolatilization devolatilizations devolatilize devolatilizer devolatilizers devolution

devolutional devolutionary devolutionist devolutionists devolutions devolve (current term) devolve on devolved devolvement devolves

devolving devon devonian devons devoration devorations devore devot devotaries devotary

Literary usage of Devolve

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Treatise on the Law of Legacies by Roper Stote Donnison Roper (1847)
"Of the words " the principal to devolve eventually to my residuary legatee*." 22. Of the effect of a bequest of residue between three, deducting out of the ..."

2. Revised Record of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York by William H. Steele, Charles Elliott Fitch (1900)
"The duties of the Governor would devolve upon the President of the Senate first and then upon the Speaker of the Assembly. ..."

3. A Cycle of Adams Letters, 1861-1865 by Charles Francis Adams, Henry Adams (1920)
"That successor will devolve all the odium of the action taken upon his predecessor, so that both will be safe; and again I shall exclaim, such is fame! ..."

4. A Practical Treatise on the Law of Perpetuity: Or, Remoteness in Limitations by William David Lewis (1843)
"... and after his decease, to his eldest son ; but in case he should die leaving no son, then, in trust for the person on whom the baronetcy should devolve, ..."

5. The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for by Edmund Burke, Benjamin Franklin Collection (Library of Congress), John Davis Batchelder Collection (Library of Congress) (1822)
"... and to devolve away, however illegally, even in the presence, and under the very eyes, of the rightful heirs of both, without an effort, on their part, ..."

6. A Digest of the Laws of England Respecting Real Property by William Cruise (1818)
"Tenancies from year to year do not determine And devolve by the death of the tenant, but devolve to his execu- ..."

7. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1906)
"It does not devolve upon the defendant to disprove it, or to show what disposition he made of the money. "Since the crime of embezzlement depends upon the ..."

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