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| de·volve [ di vólv ] (past and past participle de·volved, present participle de·volv·ing, 3rd person present singular de·volves) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb transfer or be transferred to another: to transfer power, responsibility, or rights to somebody or something, e.g. from a central government to a regional government, or be transferred in this way
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2. intransitive verb become somebody else's obligation: to become the duty or responsibility of somebody else
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3. intransitive verb deteriorate: to deteriorate slowly over time
  Order has devolved into anarchy.
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4. intransitive verb law be given or bequeathed: to be given to somebody under the terms of a will or other legal instruction
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| [15th century. < Latin devolvere "roll down" < volvere "roll"] |
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| de·volve·ment noun |
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