devolution

Plural: devolutions

Noun

• the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
• the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
• A rolling down.
• A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession.
• The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another.
• Degeneration.
• The transfer of some powers and the delegation of some functions from a central government to local government (e.g. from the U.K. parliament to Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly).

Examples

• It is quite disheartening to witness the devolution of our nation's political discourse over the past several years.
• The question of whether England should receive devolution like Scotland and Wales have has dogged British politics for years.

Synonyms

degeneration, devolvement, degradation

Antonyms

evolution, development

Related Words

devolve