Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Devolution
Dev′o·lu′tion (dĕv′ō·lū′shŭn), n. [LL. devolutio: cf. F. dévolution.] 1. The act of rolling down. [R.]
The devolution of earth down upon the valleys. Woodward.
2. Transference from one person to another; a passing or devolving upon a successor.
The devolution of the crown through a . . . channel known and conformable to old constitutional requisitions. De Quincey.