devolution

[dev-uh-loo-shuhn, dee-vuh-]

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.

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

4. Biology.,  degeneration.

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

devolution

/ ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act, fact, or result of devolving

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

3. another word for degeneration

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

Other Word Forms

• devolutionist noun
• devolutionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolution¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolution¹

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

Example Sentences

But those ties are "weakening, loosening, because of devolution and the current changes in society", the historian said.

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However, Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, who opposes the bill, said it was "a thorough debate, scrutinising significant issues including the devolution implications of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill and the use of the Mental Capacity Act".

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Morgan has been trying to strike a balance: differentiating the Welsh party from UK Labour, but also pushing for extra funding, further devolution of powers and big investment announcements from her UK colleagues.

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The BGA was intended to stop either government being better or worse off due to devolution.

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If UK income tax receipts go up, so does the size of the block grant adjustment – and devolution means ministers here get to decide if they replicate the tax rises.

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Related Words

• deterioration 
• downturn 
• drop 
• failure 
• fall 
• recession 
• slump 
• weakening www.thesaurus.com