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.