devolution

[ dev-uh-loo-shuhnor, especially British, 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. See degeneration
   another word for degeneration
4. a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests

Derived Forms

• ˌdevoˈlutionary, adjective
• ˌdevoˈlutionist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• devo·lution·ary adjective noun
• devo·lution·ist noun

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

In addition to all kinds of juicy details, Tom provides a schema for how to understand the city’s evolution, or devolution, depending on your point of view.

From Freakonomics

The date never comes to pass, and it will take most of the six-episode series to trace her long devolution into the battered, traumatized creature who wakes up in jail less than a year later.

From Time

Cameron said no, reasoning that Scotland was likely to opt for greater devolution but would stop short of total independence.

From The Daily Beast

Kristol et al may long for such a devolution, but polls suggest that the majority of Americans do not.

From The Daily Beast

It is an old native element recast in Roman form, and well illustrates the Roman principle of local government by devolution.

From Project Gutenberg

This argument for the obligation of the Consuming Class is based upon the devolution of duties.

From Project Gutenberg

It was thus that the first of his wars for the extension of frontiers began, the War of Devolution.

From Project Gutenberg

The principle of local devolution is carried somewhat further in Madras than in other provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only when a partition takes place that the devolution of the shares by inheritance has to be traced.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deterioration
• downturn
• drop
• failure
• fall
• recession
• slump
• weakening