Main Entry:

de·vo·lu·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən also ˌdē-və-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Medieval Latin devolution-, devolutio, from Latin devolvere

Date:

1545

1: transference (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another ; especially : the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central government2: retrograde evolution : degeneration

— de·vo·lu·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

— de·vo·lu·tion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun