DEVOLVE, verb transitive devolv. [Latin , to roll.]

1. To roll down; to pour or flow with windings.

Through splendid kingdoms he devolves his maze.

2. To move from one person to another; to deliver over, or from one possessor to a successor.

The king devolved the care and disposition of affairs on the duke or Ormond.

DEVOLVE, verb intransitive devolv. Literally, to roll down; hence, to pass from one to another; to fall by succession from one possessor to his successor. In the absence of the commander in chief, the command devolved on the next officer in rank. On the death of the prince, the crown devolved on his eldest son.