devolutionKK [ˏdɛvəˋluʃən] /ˌdɛvəˈluʃən/發音de- 向下、除去+volut 捲、轉+-ion 名詞→向下轉移展開收合de-字首向下、除去volut字根捲、轉-ion字尾名詞字面：向下轉移把權力向下轉到地方，即權力下放；也引申為由高處往下退的退化。名詞1權力下放、地方分權政治Devolution gave the regional assembly control over health and education.權力下放讓地方議會掌管衛生與教育事務。2退化、衰退正式He described the city's decline as a slow devolution into chaos.他形容這座城市的沒落是逐漸退化成一片混亂。3移轉、轉讓法律The devolution of the estate to the eldest son was contested in court.該筆遺產移轉給長子一事在法院遭到爭訟。