devolve

verb

de·​volve di-ˈvälv How to pronounce devolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv,
dē-
devolved; devolving

transitive verb

: to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another
devolving to western Europe full responsibility for its own defenseChristopher Lane

intransitive verb

1
a
: to pass by transmission or succession
the estate devolved on a distant cousin
b
: to fall or be passed usually as a responsibility or obligation
the responsibility for breadwinning has devolved increasingly upon womenBarbara Ehrenreich
2
: to come by or as if by flowing down
streams devolving from the mountains
his allegedly subversive campaigns … devolve from his belief in basic American rightsFrank Deford
3
: to degenerate through a gradual change or evolution
The scene devolved into chaos.

Did you know?

The Evolution of Devolve

Evolve? Check. Revolve? Check. Devolve? Now we’re on a roll—literally. All three of these words (and more) evolved from the Latin verb volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course, to cause to roll, to bring round." Latin ēvolvere means "to roll out or away"; Latin revolvere means "to roll back to a starting point"; and Latin dēvolvere means "to roll (something) down." In its earliest uses in the 15th century, devolve was about literally rolling down: it meant "to roll onward or downward." Today the word is typically about a more figurative rolling down, as when an organization devolves power—that is, passes power down—to those at a lower level of authority, or when a deteriorating situation is described as "devolving into chaos." One word, multiple uses. That's just how English rolls.

Examples of devolve in a Sentence

She cynically asserts that our species is devolving. Somehow the debate devolved into a petty competition to see who could get more applause. Community leaders hope that the new government will devolve more power to the community itself. Responsibility has devolved to the individual teachers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Without accountability, autonomy and agency can devolve into confusion and halt progress. Margaret Graziano, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Initially, Moscow’s invasion of its Western neighbor seemed distant and irrelevant to Pyongyang, but as the conflict devolved into a prolonged war of attrition, with trench warfare reminiscent of World War I, artillery and manpower became crucial. Andrei Lankov, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024 Dinner with the Parents, from CBS Studios and Big Talk, centered on a weekly family get-together that always devolves into chaos. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 But at one point, the hearing devolved into a heated yelling match between Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas). Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for devolve 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English devolven "to transfer, overthrow," borrowed from Latin dēvolvere "to roll (something) down, (in passive voice) sink or fall back, become subject (to), be passed down (to an heir)," from dē- de- + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of devolve was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near devolve

Cite this Entry

“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devolve. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

devolve

intransitive verb
de·​volve di-ˈvȯlv, -ˈvälv How to pronounce devolve (audio)
devolved; devolving
1
: to pass by transfer or succession
the estate devolved to a distant cousin
2
: to fall or be passed usually as an obligation or responsibility
in case of the removal of the President from office, or of his…inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice PresidentU.S. Constitution art. II
Etymology

Medieval Latin devolvi, passive of devolvere to roll down, from Latin, from de down, away + volvere to roll

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