devolution

Pronunciation: /diːvəˈluːʃən/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
  2. noun the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French dévolution, from Medieval Latin devolutio, devolutionis, from Latin devolvo.

In classic literature

Synonyms

degeneration

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
process
Narrower (hyponyms)
macular degeneration, attack, obsolescence
Opposite (antonyms)
development

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