devolution

[ dev-uh-loo-shuhn or, especially British, dee-vuh- ]
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noun
  1. the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.

  2. the passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.

  1. Law. the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.

  2. Biology. degeneration.

  3. the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.

Origin of devolution

1
1535–45; (<Middle French ) <Medieval Latin dēvolūtiōn- (stem of dēvolūtiō) a rolling down, equivalent to Latin dēvolūt(us) rolled down (past participle of dēvolvere;see devolve) + -iōn--ion

Other words from devolution

  • dev·o·lu·tion·ar·y, adjective, noun
  • dev·o·lu·tion·ist, noun

Words Nearby devolution

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How to use devolution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for devolution

devolution

/ (ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən) /


noun
  1. the act, fact, or result of devolving

  2. a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another

  1. another word for degeneration (def. 3)

  2. a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests

Origin of devolution

1
C16: from Medieval Latin dēvolūtiō a rolling down, from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, sink into; see devolve

Derived forms of devolution

  • devolutionary, adjective
  • devolutionist, noun, adjective

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