Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of devolve.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Failing such a person, the title devolves on him who is complete in theosophy, though he may be mediocre in philosophy.

    Mystics and Saints of Islam Claud Field 1902

  • Critics very often are able to make a stronger case for their assessment of a work on the second try (by qualifying their initial analysis and providing a more nuanced reading) but in this case Ayers’ attempt at defending his critique devolves from the ridiculous to the pitiful.

    April « 2007 « Bill Ayers 2007

  • Critics very often are able to make a stronger case for their assessment of a work on the second try (by qualifying their initial analysis and providing a more nuanced reading) but in this case Ayers’ attempt at defending his critique devolves from the ridiculous to the pitiful.

    A Review of Capitalists and Conquerors, and an exchange 2007

  • Actually it goes directly to the unethical lying and smearing and innuendos of the GOP politics of personal destruction. pftp wrote: That beind said, any converation that I have with Username devolves into this realm. pftp wrote: Losername:

    Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local 2010

  • As the f-word devolves further into marketing PR-speak, we're left with Katy Perry's infantilized, finger-sucking "naughtiness" - sexual transgression for the sake of male titillation more than anything-and a long list of songs that are Feminist Lite at best.

    NashvilleScene.com 2009

  • I'm not even sure that's how "devolves" should be used.

    B2fxxx 2004

  • I'm not even sure that's how "devolves" should be used.

    Archive 2004-06-13 2004

  • Usually, the first half of a Heinlein novel is dynamite and then (alas) the second half kind of devolves into turgid lectures.

    Ethical Technology IEET 2010

  • It begins with a silky bass groove played over fairly staid bebop drum and piano parts and gradually morphs (some might say "devolves") into a maddening, improvised confluence of sonic textures: screeching trumpet and saxophone, chaotic keyboard lines, and spastic drumming.

    PopMatters 2009

  • The Player or Burn Hollywood Burn, but instead, it kind of devolves into this whole mid-life crisis ordeal film with no clear direction or stakes in any way.

    Pajiba 2008

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