Devolution

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Devolution \Dev`o*lu"tion\, n. [LL. devolutio: cf. F.
     d['e]volution.]
     1. The act of rolling down. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The devolution of earth down upon the valleys.


                                                    --Woodward.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Transference from one person to another; a passing or
        devolving upon a successor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The devolution of the crown through a . . . channel
              known and conformable to old constitutional
              requisitions.                         --De Quincey.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  devolution
       n 1: the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of
            effective power or vitality or essential quality [syn: {degeneration}]
            [ant: {development}]
       2: the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a
          regional government) [syn: {devolvement}]

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  DEVOLUTION, eccl. law. The transfer, by forfeiture, of a right and power 
  which a person has to another, on account of some act or negligence of the 
  person who is vested with such right or power: for example, when a person 
  has the right of preseptation, and he does not present within the time 
  prescribed, the right devolves on his next immediate superior. Ayl. Par. 
  331.