devolve

/di'vɔlv/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
devolve

The meeting devolved into a shouting match.

Definition

  1. Verb (Intransitive):

    • To degenerate or deteriorate: To gradually pass into a worse, lower, or less effective state or condition.
    • To be transferred or passed on: To pass or be transferred from one person or entity to another, especially by succession, inheritance, or default.

  2. Verb (Transitive):

    • To delegate or transfer: To pass on (power, duties, or responsibilities) to another person or body, typically one that is lower in a hierarchy.
Examples of Usage
  • Intransitive Verb:
    • The peaceful debate devolved into a chaotic argument. (The discussion deteriorated from a calm state to a disorderly one.)
    • When the manager is absent, his authority devolves upon his deputy. (His authority is transferred to his deputy by default.)
  • Transitive Verb:
    • The central government devolved significant powers to the regional assemblies. (The government formally delegated powers to lower-level bodies.)
    • She devolved the day-to-day operations to her trusted team. (She transferred the responsibility for operations to her team.)
Advanced Usage
  • Devolve into: This is the most common phrasal construction, used to describe a process of decline or degeneration into a specified (usually worse) state.
    • The formal ceremony quickly devolved into a lively party.
  • Devolve on/upon/to: Used to indicate what or whom a right, duty, or property passes to.
    • In the absence of a will, the estate devolved to the state.
    • The obligation devolves upon all citizens to uphold the law.
Variants and Related Words
  • Devolution (n): The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration. (e.g., )
  • Devolved (adj): Describing a political entity with transferred powers. (e.g., )
Synonyms
  • Deteriorate: To become progressively worse. (Focuses on the decline in quality.)
  • Degenerate: To decline or fall to a lower level in physical, mental, or moral qualities. (Often implies a fall from a former better state.)
  • Delegate: To entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person. (Focuses on the act of transferring authority.)
  • Pass on: To transfer something to someone else.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Devolve into: To gradually change and become (something worse or simpler). See "Advanced Usage" above.
  • Devolve on/upon/to: To pass (a duty, right, etc.) to a person or group. See "Advanced Usage" above.
Related Idioms
devolve

The meeting devolved into a shouting match.

Verb
  1. grow worse
    • Her condition deteriorated
    • Conditions in the slums degenerated
    • The discussion devolved into a shouting match
  2. be inherited by
    • The estate fell to my sister
    • The land returned to the family
    • The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead
  3. pass on or delegate to another
    • The representative devolved his duties to his aides while he was in the hospital

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