Etymology
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devolution (n.)

1540s, in reference to property, qualities, etc., "descent by natural or due succession," agent noun from devolve. Meaning "act of transferring or handing over" is from 1620s. Etymological sense "act of rolling down" (1620s) was rare in English and is archaic or obsolete. In biology, as "degeneration, the opposite of evolution," it is attested by 1882.

Entries linking to devolution

devolve (v.)

mid-15c., devolven, "to roll downward or onward" (a sense now archaic or obsolete), from Latin devolvere "to roll down," from de "down" (see de-) + volvere "to roll," from PIE root *wel- (3) "to turn, revolve."

Figurative sense of "to cause to pass down, transfer (something) from one person to another" is from 1520s; sense of "be transferred or transmitted" is from 1550s. Meaning "to degenerate" is by 1830. Related: Devolved; devolving.

updated on August 07, 2018

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Dictionary entries near devolution

devirginate

devise

devitalize

devocalize

devoid

devolution

devolve

Devon

Devonian

devote

devoted

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