DEVOLVE Meaning and
Definition
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Devolve is a verb that refers to the transfer or delegation of power, authority, or responsibility from one authority or entity to another, usually a subordinate entity or a lower level of administration. It signifies the process of distributing or passing down certain rights, duties, or functions to a lower level, resulting in a decentralization of power or decision-making.
In a political context, devolution often implies the granting of limited self-government to regions or local governments within a larger political framework. It can involve the transfer of administrative, legislative, or financial powers to a region, allowing it to govern itself to some extent while still being part of a wider governing structure.
Moreover, devolve can also indicate a regression or deterioration in quality, status, or condition. It can describe the decline or degradation of something, as in a situation where a complex task or responsibility is assigned to someone incapable of managing it effectively, leading to a decrease in efficiency or effectiveness.
In a broader sense, devolve can refer to the process of passing or moving down to a lower or less centralized level, such as responsibilities within an organization or family, or even the transfer of genetic traits from one generation to another.
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To pass over from one person to another, as by succession; to deliver over to a successor; to fall upon or come to as by right.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DEVOLVE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DEVOLVE
Etymology of DEVOLVE
The word "devolve" has its origins in the Latin verb "devolvere", which consists of "de" (meaning "down") and "volvere" (meaning "to roll"). In Latin, "devolvere" referred to rolling or handing something over from a higher authority to a lower one. Over time, this meaning evolved and in English, "devolve" came to be used for describing the transfer or delegation of power, responsibilities, or duties from one person or entity to another.
Idioms with the word DEVOLVE
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devolve (up)on sm or sth
The idiom "devolve upon someone or something" means to transfer or pass responsibility, duty, or authority onto someone or something else. It implies the delegation of a task or obligation to another person or entity.
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devolve (up)on (someone or something)
The idiom "devolve (up)on (someone or something)" refers to the act of transferring or shifting responsibility, duty, or burden from one person or entity to another, typically from a higher authority to a lower one. It implies that the higher authority delegates or passes on a task, obligation, or problem to someone or something considered less powerful or capable.
Similar spelling words for DEVOLVE
Conjugate verb Devolve
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have devolved
you
would have devolved
he/she/it
would have devolved
we
would have devolved
they
would have devolved
I
would have devolve
you
would have devolve
he/she/it
would have devolve
we
would have devolve
they
would have devolve
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been devolving
you
would have been devolving
he/she/it
would have been devolving
we
would have been devolving
they
would have been devolving
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would devolve
you
would devolve
he/she/it
would devolve
we
would devolve
they
would devolve
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be devolving
you
would be devolving
he/she/it
would be devolving
we
would be devolving
they
would be devolving
FUTURE
I
will devolve
you
will devolve
he/she/it
will devolve
we
will devolve
they
will devolve
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be devolving
you
will be devolving
he/she/it
will be devolving
we
will be devolving
they
will be devolving
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have devolved
you
will have devolved
he/she/it
will have devolved
we
will have devolved
they
will have devolved
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been devolving
you
will have been devolving
he/she/it
will have been devolving
we
will have been devolving
they
will have been devolving
IMPERATIVE
you
devolve
we
let´s devolve
to devolve
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was devolving
you
were devolving
he/she/it
was devolving
we
were devolving
they
were devolving
PAST PARTICIPLE
devolved
PAST PERFECT
I
had devolved
you
had devolved
he/she/it
had devolved
we
had devolved
they
had devolved
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been devolving
you
had been devolving
he/she/it
had been devolving
we
had been devolving
they
had been devolving
PRESENT
I
devolve
you
devolve
he/she/it
devolves
we
devolve
they
devolve
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am devolving
you
are devolving
he/she/it
is devolving
we
are devolving
they
are devolving
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
devolving
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have devolved
you
have devolved
he/she/it
has devolved
we
have devolved
they
have devolved
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been devolving
you
have been devolving
he/she/it
has been devolving
we
have been devolving
they
have been devolving
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
devolve
SIMPLE PAST
I
devolved
you
devolved
he/she/it
devolved
we
devolved
they
devolved
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