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