verb

devolve

dih-VAHLV/dɪvˈɑlv/

To pass downward to a lower level or state.

Responsibility devolves from the central administrator to the local manager receiving the office keys.

An older central-office administrator transfers responsibility to a younger local-office manager by handing her a ring of office keys and a plain responsibility folder across two descending administrative desk levels.

Etymology

Literally 'roll down,' devolve came to mean passing something down from one person to another. Transferring authority or responsibility to a lower level preserves that downward movement as an organizational image.

In context

Center for Strategic & International Studies9:18

the smith commission we can put it at rest as to whether or not that will devolve further powers to scotland in the area of defense or intelligence or foreign affairs it won't

After the Scottish Referendum: What are the Future Transatlantic Security Implications?

More examples

Without clear rules, the game devolved into chaos.
The debate is devolving into personal attacks.
The state devolves responsibility for local roads to county governments.

Forms

devolve · devolves · devolved · devolving

devolution noun — The transfer of authority to lower levels.

Similar words

deteriorate: Emphasizes worsening condition without necessarily becoming something different.
degenerate: Emphasizes decline in quality, standards, or functioning, not transferred authority.
delegate: Means assigning duties or authority, often while retaining ultimate responsibility.