Definition of the word devolve to

The phrase "devolve to" is a verb phrase that originated in the late 19th century. It is derived from the Latin word "devolvere," which means "to fold back." In ancient Roman law, "devolvere" referred to the act of returning a case to a lower court for further proceedings. The idea was that the case had been sent to a higher court for a specific issue to be addressed, and after the decision was made, it would "devolve" or return to the lower court for further action. The English theologian and philosopher, Francis Bacon, coined the term "devolve" in the early 17th century, to describe the process of inheriting or passing down something to a successor. For instance, a person's title or estate would "devolve" to their heir upon their death. Over time, the meaning of "devolve" evolved to include a sense of volition or decision-making. In this context, it became associated with the idea that a task or responsibility would be passed on to someone else voluntarily, rather than being automatically transferred by law. The phrase "devolve to" came into use in the late 19th century, pioneered by the British philosopher and economist, Thomas Greenham Burgess. It was adopted by legal and political contexts, particularly in reference to the devolution of powers from a central government to a regional one. In general, "devolve to" represents the process by which authority, tasks, or responsibilities are intentionally transferred from one person or entity to another. The modern meaning of "devolve" is thus closely intertwined with the concept of decision-making and agency, which goes back to its Latin origins.