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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Devolve \De*volve"\, v. i.
To pass by transmission or succession; to be handed over or
down; -- generally with on or upon, sometimes with to or
into; as, after the general fell, the command devolved upon
(or on) the next officer in rank.
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His estate . . . devolved to Lord Somerville.
--Johnson.
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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.
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Every headlong stream
Devolves its winding waters to the main. --Akenside.
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Devolved his rounded periods. --Tennyson.
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2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over;
to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or
into.
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They devolved a considerable share of their power
upon their favorite. --Burke.
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They devolved their whole authority into the hands
of the council of sixty. --Addison.
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