A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1494-1533, 1592-1635
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Devolve, v. Also: divolve. [ME. (c 1440), L. dēvolvere.]
1. tr. To refer or transfer to another; to cause to fall upon, or come into the possession of, some one. 1494 Acts Lords of Council 335/1.
Maister Thomas Hay allegiit that he haid devoluit the cause to the court of Rome 1533 Bell. Livy I. 61/12.
Thus was his appellacioun devoluit afore the pepill 1533 Ib. 73/11.
The kingdome of Romanis was devoluit (as the vse was fra the begynnyng) to the faderis 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 28.
Gif ane heretage … is devolved and perteines to divers and sundrie heires 1592 Acts III. 589/2.
All and sindre … dignities, personages, … quhilk … wer laitlie divoluit in his hienes handis 1624 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs III. 165.
The haill tred in these plaices is lyk to be devoluit in the saids factouris handis 1635 Echt-Forbes Chart. 140.
To transferr, divolve, and establische in the persone of the said nobill Lorde sick richtis … as he hes for the samyn
2. To involve (a person) in debt. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 166/24.
This man … was haldin in lang captiuite be his creditouris, for dett in quhilk he was deuoluit 1533 Ib. 173/2.
All personis quhilkis war afore devoluit in dett
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