Devolve Definition
dĭ-vŏlv
devolved, devolves, devolving
verb
devolved, devolves, devolving
To transfer or pass on (duties, responsibilities, etc.) to another or others.
Webster's New World
To pass or be transferred to another or others.
Webster's New World
To cause to roll onward or downward.
American Heritage
To change gradually for the worse; decline; deteriorate; degenerate.
Webster's New World
To roll onward or downward.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Origin of Devolve
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Middle English devolven to transfer from Old French devolver to confer, ascribe from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall to dē- de- volvere to roll wel-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Latin dēvolvō (“roll or tumble off or down”), from dē + volvō (“roll”).
From Wiktionary
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