devolution

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dev·o·lu·tion / ˌdevəˈloōshən/ • n. the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, esp. by central government to local or regional administration. ∎ formal descent or degeneration to a lower or worse state: the devolution of the gentlemanly ideal into a glorification of drunkenness. ∎  Law the legal transfer of property from one owner to another. ∎  Biol. evolutionary degeneration.DERIVATIVES: dev·o·lu·tion·ar·y / -ˌnerē/ adj.dev·o·lu·tion·ist / -ist/ n.

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