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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Devolve

De-vŏlve', v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. DEVOLVED; p. pr. & vb. n. DEVOLVING.] [Lat. devolvere, from de and volvere, to roll, Sp. devolver, It. devolvere.]

Sense 1. To roll onward or downward; to overthrow.

Through splendid kingdoms he devolves his maze. Thomson.

Sense 2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over; to hand down;—generally with upon or to.

They devolved a considerable share of their power upon their favorite. Burke.

De-vōlve', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To pass by transmission or succession; to be handed over or down;—followed by on or upon; as, in the absence of the commander-in-chief, the command devolved upon the next officer in rank; on the death of the prince, the crown devolved on his eldest son.