DEVOLUTION


Meaning of DEVOLUTION in English

ˌdevəˈlüshən also -vəlˈyü- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Medieval Latin devolution-, devolutio, from Late Latin, corruption, from Latin devolutus (past participle of devolvere ) + -ion-, -io -ion

1. : transference from one individual to another: as

a. : a passing or devolving (as of property, qualities, power, or rights) upon a successor

the devolution of the crown

b. : delegation or conferral (as of authority, responsibility, or tasks) especially to a subordinate

devolution of functions in industry

c. in ecclesiastical law : transfer of power and privilege in a particular case because of nonfeasance or misfeasance (as when the filling of a vacant benefice passes to the church because the patron failed to nominate or presented an unworthy candidate)

d. : the delegation or surrender of powers formerly held by a central government to regional or local authorities — compare decentralization

e. Scots law

(1) : the reference of a matter to an umpire by arbiters who disagree

(2) : the devolving of a purchase at auction upon the next highest bidder when the highest bidder fails to make good his bid

2.

a. : descent or passage through a series (as of stages in development)

b. : retrograde evolution : degeneration

• dev·o·lu·tion·ary -shəˌnerē adjective

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.