Definition of Devolution

1. Noun. The process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality.

Exact synonyms: Degeneration
Generic synonyms: Physical Process, Process
Specialized synonyms: Attack, Obsolescence, Macular Degeneration
Derivative terms: Degenerate
Antonyms: Evolution

2. Noun. The delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government).
Exact synonyms: Devolvement
Category relationships: Administration, Governance, Governing, Government, Government Activity
Generic synonyms: Delegating, Delegation, Deputation, Relegating, Relegation
Derivative terms: Devolve, Devolve

Definition of Devolution

1. n. The act of rolling down.

Definition of Devolution

1. Noun. A rolling down. ¹

2. Noun. A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession ¹

3. Noun. The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another. ¹

4. Noun. (pejorative) Degeneration (as opposed to evolution). ¹

5. Noun. (British) The transfer of some powers, and the delegation of some functions, from a central sovereign government to local government; eg. from Westminster to Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Devolution

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Devolution

1. A continuing process of degeneration or breaking down, in contrast to evolution. See: involution, catabolism. Origin: L. De-volvo, pp. -volutus, to roll down (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Devolution

devocations
devoice
devoiced
devoices
devoicing
devoid
devoid of(p)
devoidness
devoir
devoirs
devolatilization
devolatilizations
devolatilize
devolatilizer
devolatilizers
devolution (current term)
devolutional
devolutionary
devolutionist
devolutionists
devolutions
devolve
devolve on
devolved
devolvement
devolves
devolving
devon
devonian
devons

Literary usage of Devolution

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A General View of the Law of Property by James Andrew Strahan, James Sinclair Baxter (1908)
"devolution mortis causa arises where the ownership of a thing is ... It will not, however, be necessary or expedient to treat of devolution to the Crown ..."

2. The Law of Wills and Succession as Administered in Scotland: Including by John M'Laren (1894)
"Clauses of devolution effectual as conditions of grant of heritable estate. devolution distinguished from resolutive clause: Effectual without declarator. ..."

3. Treatise on the Law of Arbitration in Scotland by John Montgomerie Bell (1877)
"After noticing ^hat the minute of devolution specified two explicit points, ... In a submission with a power of devolution, the devolution made by the ..."

4. A Treatise on the American Law of Administration by John Gabriel Woerner (1899)
"In default of the testamentary disposition of the property Principle of of a deceased person, the law disposes of the same pre- devolution. eisely as the ..."

5. The Law of Scotland in Relation to Wills and Succession: Including the by John M'Laren (1868)
"(5) The decisions in relation to clauses of devolution present the law of ... A clause of devolution is different in principle from a re- devolution d¡s- ..."

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