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devolution
[ dev-uh-loo-shuhn or, especially British, dee-vuh- ]
/ ˌdɛv əˈlu ʃən or, especially British, ˈdi və- /
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noun
the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.
the passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.
Law. the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.
Biology. degeneration.
the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.
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Origin of devolution
OTHER WORDS FROM devolution
dev·o·lu·tion·ar·y, adjective, noundev·o·lu·tion·ist, nounWords nearby devolution
devoice, devoid, devoir, devoirs, devolatilize, devolution, devolve, Devon, Devonian, Devon Island, Devon minnow
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use devolution in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for devolution
devolution
/ (ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən) /
noun
the act, fact, or result of devolving
a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another
another word for degeneration (def. 3)
a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests
Derived forms of devolution
devolutionary, adjectivedevolutionist, noun, adjectiveWord Origin for devolution
C16: from Medieval Latin dēvolūtiō a rolling down, from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, sink into; see devolve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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