Devolve

/dɪˈvɒlv/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to transfer or delegate power or responsibility to a lower level or to others.

The new law will devolve more powers to local governments.

to deteriorate or degenerate into a worse state.

The situation began to devolve into chaos after the leadership crisis.

to pass on or hand over (something) to a successor or another party.

The company's management decided to devolve authority to the regional managers.

Etymology from Latin 'devolvere', meaning 'to roll down'.

to devolve into chaos

to turn into a chaotic or disordered state.

devolve responsibility

to transfer the duty or task to someone else.

devolve authority

to pass down the power or authority to a subordinate level.

delegate

to entrust a task or responsibility to another person.

devolution

the transfer of power or responsibility to a lower level.

to downgrade or get worse

After the project was handed over, it just devolved from there.

to fall apart or to become disorganized

Their plans devolved into a mess after the first hiccup.