Devolving

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Devolve \De*volve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devolved}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Devolving}.] [L. devolvere, devolutum, to roll down;
     de + volvere to roll down; de + volvere to roll. See
     {Voluble}.]
     1. To roll onward or downward; to pass on.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              Every headlong stream
              Devolves its winding waters to the main. --Akenside.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Devolved his rounded periods.         --Tennyson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over;
        to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or
        into.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              They devolved a considerable share of their power
              upon their favorite.                  --Burke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              They devolved their whole authority into the hands
              of the council of sixty.              --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]