devolve Hear it!

devolve Definition

de·volve (di välv, -vôlv)

transitive verb -·volved, -·volv·ing

to transfer or pass on (duties, responsibilities, etc.) to another or others

Etymology: ME devolven < L devolvere, to roll down < de-, down + volvere, to roll: see walk

intransitive verb

  1. to pass or be transferred to another or others
  2. to change gradually for the worse; decline; deteriorate

devolve Related Forms

de·volve·ment noun

devolve Law Definition

v

The grant or transfer of authority and/or responsibility to another.

devolve Usage Examples

Object

  • administration: In the devolved administrations, however, public spending is higher per capita, say, 120.
  • legislature: In addition, they receive a reduced salary which equals 1/3 of the salary of the respective devolved legislature.
  • parliament: Elections for Devolved Nations The UK's devolved parliaments are still in their infancy.
  • assembly: For the devolved assemblies, sustainability is a major issue.
  • decision-making: It can devolve decision-making from central government to the people of the region.
  • responsibility: We are going to devolve responsibility for carrying through these aims.

Subject

authority: Quality towns and parishes will also be central to the management and delivery of services devolved by the principal authority, with funding.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

such: On devolved matters such as education and health Gordon Brown has no mandate from any electorate, be they English, Scottish or Welsh.

Adjective complement

most: By 1989, Graham Day had devolved most of his Rover duties to George Simpson.

Modifying Another Word

  • executively: Scottish Executive Ministers also exercise " executively devolved " functions.
  • newly: We are determined to have input into the matters affecting older people in the newly devolved National Assembly for Wales.
  • locally: Certainly it could be, much funding in schools is locally devolved and could be spent in this area.
  • largely: The commissioning role of health authorities will largely devolve to Primary Care Groups or Trusts.
  • fully: We have already strengthened the Wales Council, providing it with fully devolved policy powers.
  • highly: However, it involves both managing a large IT procurement and imposing change on the highly devolved NHS.

Followed by an intransitive particle

down: Transport policy, for example, could not be devolved down to this level.

Present participle complement

accord: The fixed term will devolve according to her will or under the intestacy laws if she did not make a will.

Preposition: in

respect: Authority is devolved in this respect to the School Quality Committee from the Business School Board of Studies.

Preposition: from

center: Power is being devolved from the center to front-line staff, giving them the power and flexibility to deliver.

Preposition: by

authority: Quality towns and parishes will also be central to the management and delivery of services devolved by the principal authority, with funding.

Browse dictionary entries near devolve

  1. devolution
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  10. devisal
  1. Devon
  2. Devonian
  3. Devonshire
  4. devote
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  10. devour