<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>The act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.</li><li>The passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.</li><li>Law: the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.</li><li>Biology: degeneration.</li><li>The transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.</li></ul>