devolve-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: pass something on to a successor

Commentary: Syntax includes: NP1[agent|source] DEVOLVE NP2[theme] (PP[recipient]) NP1[theme] DEVOLVE PP[recipient]

Examples:
The representative devolved his duties to his aides while he was in the hospital.
The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead.
The Vatican is in no hurry to devolve power.
The government will devolve powers to AGMA on a "voluntary and tailored basis".
Certain powers were devolved from central government in London to other parts of the UK.

Mappings:
VerbNet: future_having-13.3
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: devolve.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2

Sense Number 2: grow worse

Commentary: Syntax includes: NP1[patient] DEVOLVE (PP[material]) PP[product]

Examples:
These debates often devolve into shouting interuptions and name calling.
I think it much more likely that Europe will devolve into outright police-state fascism.
I've seen one too many angry blog discussions devolve into "You're calling me racist!"
I enjoy a good discussion that doesn't devolve into a flamewar.
The species concept debate has devolved from an empirical discussion into a philosophical one.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: devolve.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3