French Conversation · Level 106
60 words
French word
dévolu
Pronunciation
IPA/devoly/
Meaning
- adjectiveassigned
Example
Le poste est dévolu à Marie.
The position is assigned to Marie.
More examples
On m'a dévolu ce dossier, je m'en occupe.
This file was assigned to me, so I'm handling it.
Core concept
A marked role, duty, or share passes into a named person's hands.
Similar words
dédié: Set up for a particular use or group of people.
destiné: Intended for a particular purpose or recipient.
réservé: Held for a particular person or purpose, such as a seat or time slot.
Definition in French
Confié à quelqu'un comme responsabilité, charge ou destination.
Word origin
French dévolu comes through Old French from Latin dēvolūtus, the past participle of dēvolvere, and developed the sense of something transferred to a recipient.
Usage tips
- The usual construction is être dévolu à, with dévolu agreeing in gender and number with the assigned noun.