devolve

verb devolves · devolving · devolved

1. intransitive To be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder. an accident […] rendered him permanently lame, and therefore unfitted him, in the opinion of his parents, to inherit his father's many titles, which, it was then arranged, should devolve upon his younger brother.
2. transitive To delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone. Near-synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down
3. especially, transitive, usually To transfer authority and responsibility for (something) to (another entity). Despite being a unitary state, the Government of the United Kingdom devolved many matters to the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. intransitive To fall as a duty or responsibility on or upon someone. For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.
5. especially, intransitive To shift or to be transferred from a central government to a local one, a federal one to a federated one, etc. Many legislative powers devolved to the new Scottish parliament in 1999.
6. intransitive To degenerate; to break down. A discussion about politics may devolve into a shouting match.
7. obsolete, transitive To roll (something) down; to unroll. Near-synonyms: unwind, unfurl