de|volve

de|volve «dih VOLV», verb, -volved, -volv|ing.

–v.i.

1. to be handed down to someone else; be transferred: »

If the president is unable to handle his duties, they devolve upon the vice-president. Her functions had now devolved upon the Prince, and in 1844, he boldly attacked the problem (Lytton Strachey).

2. Archaic. to roll or flow down.

–v.t.

1. to transfer (duty, work, or responsibility) to someone else: »

... those who, because they are too busy or too ignorant to discharge the higher duties of self-government, have been glad to devolve them upon their representatives (Charles H. Pearson).

2. Archaic. to roll down; cause to descend with a rolling motion.

╂[< Latin dēvolvere < dē- down + volvere roll]