— devolvement , n.
/di volv"/ , v. , devolved, devolving .
v.t.
1. to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another; pass on.
2. Obs. to cause to roll downward.
v.i.
3. to be transferred or passed on from one to another: The responsibility devolved on me.
4. Archaic. to roll or flow downward.
[ 1375-1425; late ME devolven devolvere to roll down, equiv. to de- DE- + volvere to roll ]