Advertisement
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.
updated on August 07, 2018
Advertisement
Advertisement
Dictionary entries near devolution
devirginate
devise
devitalize
devocalize
devoid
devolution
devolve
Devon
Devonian
devote
devoted