Webster's English Dictionary

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devolution

de.vo.lu.tion \.dev-*-'lu:-sh*n also .de--v*-\ \-sh*-.ner-e-\ \-sh(*-)n*st\ 
   n [ML devolution-, devolutio, fr. L devolutus, pp. of devolv]ere 1: 
   transference from one individual to another : as  1a: a passing or 
   devolving (as of rights) upon a successor  1b: delegation or conferral to a 
   subordinate  1c: the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central 
   government  2: retrograde evolution : DEGENERATION  - de.vo.lu.tion.ary aj