devolution : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: devolution	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for devolution
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
devolution n the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality Synonym(s): degeneration, devolution Antonym(s): development, evolution the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government) Synonym(s): devolution, devolvement
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Devolution \Dev`olu"tion\, n. [LL. devolutio: cf. F. d[82]volution.] 1. The act of rolling down. [R.] The devolution* of earth down upon the valleys. --Woodward. 2. Transference from one person to another; a passing or devolving upon a successor. The devolution of the crown through a . . . channel known and conformable to old constitutional requisitions. --De Quincey.