Devolvement

de·volve  (d-vlv)

v. de·volved, de·volv·ing, de·volves

v.tr.

1. To pass on or delegate to another: The senator devolved the duties of office upon a group of aides.

2. Archaic To cause to roll onward or downward.

v.intr.

1. To be passed on or transferred to another: The burden of proof devolved upon the defendant. The estate devolved to an unlikely heir.

2. To degenerate or deteriorate gradually: After several hours the discussion had devolved into a shouting match.

3. Archaic To roll onward or downward.

---

[Middle English devolven, to transfer, from Old French devolver, to confer, ascribe, from Latin dvolvere, to roll down, fall to : d-, de- + volvere, to roll; see wel-² in Indo-European roots.]

---

de·volvement n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

devolvement - the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government) devolution 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