devolution

(redirected from devolutionary)
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia.

dev·o·lu·tion

(dĕv′ə-lo͞o′shən, dē′və-)

1. A passing down or descent through successive stages of time or a process.

2. Transference, as of rights or qualities, to a successor.

3. Delegation of authority or duties to a subordinate or substitute.

4. A transfer of powers from a central government to local units.

5. Biology Degeneration.

[Late Latin dēvolūtiō, dēvolūtiōn-, from Latin dēvolūtus, past participle of dēvolvere, to roll down, fall to; see devolve.]

dev′o·lu′tion·ar′y (-shə-nĕr′ē) adj.

dev′o·lu′tion·ist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

devolution

(ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən)

1. the act, fact, or result of devolving

2. a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another

3. (Biology) another word for degeneration³

4. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests

[C16: from Medieval Latin dēvolūtiō a rolling down, from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, sink into; see devolve]

ˌdevoˈlutionary adj

ˌdevoˈlutionist n, adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dev•o•lu•tion

(ˌdɛv əˈlu ʃən; esp. Brit. ˈdi və-)

n.

1. the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.

2. the passing on to a successor of property or an unexercised right.

3. disappearance or simplification of structure or function in the course of evolution.

4. the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.

[1535–45; (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin dēvolūtiō; see devolve, revolution]

dev`o•lu′tion•ar′y, adj., n.

dev`o•lu′tion•ist, n.

devolution

- A passing down from stage to stage or the passing of property, rights, or authority from one person to another; it implies moving backward.

devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to smaller units such as regional authorities.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun	1.	devolution - the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality degeneration physical process, process - a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls" attack - the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent); "the film was sensitive to attack by acids"; "open to attack by the elements" obsolescence - the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date; "a policy of planned obsolescence" macular degeneration - eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness evolution, development - a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage); "the development of his ideas took many years"; "the evolution of Greek civilization"; "the slow development of her skill as a writer"
	2.	devolution - the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government) devolvement governing, government activity, government, governance, administration - the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government" delegating, relegating, relegation, delegation, deputation - authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions

devolution

noun transfer of power, decentralization, distribution of power, surrender of power, relinquishment of power We are talking about devolution for Scotland.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

devoluzione decentramento amministrativo delega [del potere]delegare

devolution

[ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən] N → delegación f (de poderes) (Pol) → traspaso m de competencias (Brit) (Pol) → descentralización f
most Welsh people want devolution → la mayoría de los galeses quieren la autonomía

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

devolution

[ˌdɛvəˈluːʃ^ən ˌdiːvəˈluːʃ^ən] n → décentralisation f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

devolution

(of power) → Übertragung f (→ from … to von … auf +acc); (Pol) → Dezentralisierung f

(Jur, of property, = active devolving) → Übertragung f; (= being devolved) → Übergang m

(Biol) → Rückentwicklung f, → Degeneration f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

devolution

[ˌdiːvəˈluːʃ/ən] n (Pol) → decentramento

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

dev·o·lu·tion

n. devolución. V.: catabolism

References in periodicals archive ?

Professor Liddle said: 'The devolutionary process linked with the Northern Powerhouse has created greater uncertainty, fragmentation, lack of co-ordination between the various agencies, and blurred the lines of accountability for decision-making.

Northumbria researchers advise MPs how Brexit could impact Northern Powerhouse

However, as emphasised by Professor Richard Rawlings in his report Brexit and Territorial Constitutions (Constitution Society): "The temptation to treat devolutionary aspects as if they were some kind of second front best frozen while supranational negotiations proceed, rather than to take them forward in tandem in a spirit of co-operation, must be firmly resisted."

These islands need a new consensus for partnership; Glyndwr Cennydd Jones argues that we need greater agreement between the nations which make up our state as we head towards an uncertain future

The push-pull of devolution will continue for years and while Scotland has changed, Westminster institutions have yet to match the new devolutionary forces that strain at the binds of the United Kingdom.

The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened; 20 YEARS OF HOLYROOD It was a proud day for our country, but was Donald Dewar's devolution enough for us? That question has dominated the first 20 years of our modern-day Parliament

The extensive devolutionary process proposed in Punjab's new law may bring a radical shift in existing power dynamics.

Revitalising devolution

Before someone tells me that Westminster will never agree to many devolutionary demands, just look at how far we've come in recent times after centuries of subjugation.

Western Mail letters: Thursday, December 20, 2018; Your letters to the national newspaper of Wales

Whether that can only, be guaranteed, through legislative means or whether significant devolutionary or federal mechanisms, can be made, to work in Nigeria from 2019 should be subject of serious debate in this campaign.

False National Identity And Slanderous Campaigns

His devolutionary exercise was also a legitimizing strategy for his centralized rule, since it did not devolve power from the federal level to the provinces and instead focused on creating local governments on a non-party basis.

Devolution of power

His devolutionary exercise was also a legitimising strategy for his centralised rule, since it did not devolve power from the federal level to the provinces and instead focused on creating local governments on non-party basis.

Of devolution of power

A careful reading of Bunker makes clear he does not reject rational choice explanations but sees deeper underlying phenomena at play in an evolutionary or devolutionary process.

Blood Sacrifices: Violent Non-State Actors and Dark Magico-Religious Activities

Let's turn it to "no divergence in the UK's devolutionary settlement".

Shocking truth about our homeless heroes; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: ecletters@walesonline.co.uk Twitter: @WalesOnline Facebook: facebook.com/WalesOnline Post: Media Wales, 6 Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR

Andras Beck on three 'devolutionary plays' of the 1990s attests to the trend of increased critical interest in contemporary Scottish theatre.

Editorial

From the UK to Spain, Italy, and potentially even France, devolutionary forces might emerge.