Devolve
/dɪˈvɑːlv/
verbB2
Definition
Devolve has two main meanings. First, it means to give power or duties from a central authority to smaller groups or local people. Second, it can mean to become worse or less advanced over time. Both meanings involve a movement from a higher state to a lower one.
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⚡ See It in Action
To pass power or responsibility from a higher level to a lower one
- •The government decided to devolve some powers to local councils.
- •Management devolved decision-making to team leaders.
- •Devolving authority can help local communities solve their own problems.
To become worse or less advanced over time
- •The conversation devolved into an argument.
- •The situation devolved quickly after the accident.
- •Without care, the building's condition devolved over the years.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'devolve' like 'give' (A1 word), but specifically giving power or responsibility down to others
- ✓Imagine a king giving some of his power to local leaders in smaller towns
- ✓It's the feeling when something that was strong or good slowly becomes weaker or worse
- ✓Sounds like 'dee-VOLVE' → imagine a ball rolling down a hill, moving from high to low
- ✓Think of a story where a kingdom breaks apart because leaders give away their power and things get messy
- ✓NOT like 'evolve' (which means to develop or improve), 'devolve' means moving backward or downward
- ✓NOT like 'delegate' (which means to give tasks, but not necessarily power or control), 'devolve' often means formal or legal transfer of authority
- ✓NOT like 'improve' or 'grow,' 'devolve' can mean to get worse or lose quality
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Delegate: to give tasks or duties to someone else (Use when talking about giving jobs, not necessarily power)
- •Transfer: to move something from one place or person to another (Use for general moving of power or things)
- •Deteriorate: to become worse in condition (Use when focusing on the meaning of getting worse, not giving power)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix 'de-' (down, away) + root 'volve' (from Latin 'volvere' meaning to roll or turn)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'devolvere,' meaning to roll down or turn away
- •Historical development: Originally meant to roll down or fall away; later used for passing down power or decline in condition
- •Modern usage: Used in politics for passing power down, and in general language for things becoming worse or less organized
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does devolving power affect the people who receive it? Can it always be positive?
•Can you think of a time when a situation you were in devolved? What caused it to get worse?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The government decided to devolve ___ to local authorities to improve decision-making.
2.When a meeting devolves ___ an argument, it means the discussion got worse.
3.Unlike 'evolve,' to devolve means to move ___ or backward.
4.Sometimes managers devolve tasks ___ their team members to share work.
5.If a project devolves ___ poor planning, it may fail completely.
6.Devolve is often used when power or responsibility is passed ___ from higher to lower levels.
7.When a conversation devolves quickly, it usually loses ___ and becomes negative.