1. The act of rolling down. [R.] The devolution of earth down upon the valleys. Woodward.
2. Transference from one person to another; a passing or devolving upon a successor. The devolution of the crown through a . . . channel known and conformable to old constitutional requisitions. De Quincey.
DEVOLVE
De*volve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Devolved; p. pr. & vb. n. Devolving.]
Etym: [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.
DEVOLVE
De*volve", v. i.
Defn: 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.
DEVOLVEMENT
De*volve"ment, n.
Defn: The act or process of devolving;; devolution.
DEVON
De"von, n.