de‧volve /dɪˈvɒlv $ dɪˈvɑːlv/ verb formal [intransitive and transitive]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: devolvere, from volvere 'to roll']

1. if you devolve responsibility, power etc to a person or group at a lower level, or if it devolves on them, it is given to them
devolve something to somebody/something
The federal government has devolved responsibility for welfare to the states.
devolve on/upon
Half of the cost of the study will devolve upon the firm.

2. if land, money etc devolves to someone, it becomes their property when someone else dies Synonym : pass

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲