de ‧ volve /dɪˈvɒlv $ dɪˈvɑːlv/ BrE AmE verb formal [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: devolvere , from volvere 'to roll' ]
1 . if you devolve responsibility, power etc to a person or group at a lower level, or if it devolves on them, it is given to them
devolve something to somebody/something
The federal government has devolved responsibility for welfare to the states.
devolve on/upon
Half of the cost of the study will devolve upon the firm.
2 . if land, money etc devolves to someone, it becomes their property when someone else dies SYN pass