Devolution: meaning, definitions and examples
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devolution
[ ˌdiːvəˈluːʃ(ə)n ]
political
The transfer of power from a central government to local or regional authorities.
Synonyms
autonomy, decentralization, localization
Examples of usage
- The devolution of certain powers to the Scottish Parliament has led to increased autonomy.
- Devolution aims to decentralize decision-making and empower local communities.
- The process of devolution can vary significantly from one country to another.
biology
The gradual development or evolution of a particular feature or trait.
Synonyms
adaptation, development, evolution
Examples of usage
- The devolution of wings in flightless birds is an example of adaptation to the environment.
- Natural selection plays a key role in the process of devolution.
- Devolution can be observed in various species over time.
Translations
Translations of the word "devolution" in other languages:
🇵🇹 devolução
🇮🇳 वापसी
🇩🇪 Rückgabe
🇮🇩 pengembalian
🇺🇦 повернення
🇵🇱 zwrot
🇯🇵 返却 (はんきゃく)
🇫🇷 restitution
🇪🇸 devolución
🇹🇷 iade
🇰🇷 반환 (반환)
🇸🇦 إعادة
🇨🇿 navrácení
🇸🇰 vrátenie
🇨🇳 归还 (guīhuán)
🇸🇮 vrnitev
🇮🇸 endurheimt
🇰🇿 қайтару
🇬🇪 დაბრუნება
🇦🇿 qaytarma
🇲🇽 devolución
Word origin
The term 'devolution' originated in the political context, specifically in the United Kingdom, where it refers to the transfer of powers from the central government to regional administrations. The concept of devolution has also been applied in biology to describe the gradual development or evolution of specific traits or features in organisms. The word has Latin roots, with 'de-' meaning 'down' or 'away', and 'evolution' referring to the process of change over time. 'Devolution' has since become a widely used term in both political and biological discourse.