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devolution
(redirected from devolutionists)

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
dev·o·lu·tion  (dv-lshn, dv-)
n.
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 dvolti, dvoltin-, from Latin dvoltus, past participle of dvolvere, to roll down, fall to; see devolve.]

devo·lution·ary (-sh-nr) adj.
devo·lution·ist n.

devolution
Noun
a transfer of authority from a central government to regional governments [Medieval Latin devolutio a rolling down]
devolutionist nadj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.devolution - the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
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obsolescence - the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date; "a policy of planned obsolescence"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)
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
Translations
Spanish devolution [diːvəˈluːʃən] n (POL) → descentralización f
French devolution [diːvəˈluːʃən] n (Pol) → décentralisation f
German devolution [diːvəˈluːʃən] nDezentralisierung f
Italian devolution [diːvəˈluːʃən] n (POL) → decentramento

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The problem is that most state legislatures - where devolutionists want many of the most important decisions to be made - are far more vulnerable than the federal government to well-monied special interests.
 
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