Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “devolution” come from?

Devolution comes from Middle French dévolution, from Medieval Latin devolutio, from Latin devolvo, meaning to roll down or transfer, derived from de-.

devolution (English): A rolling down; A descent, especially one that...

Definitions

  1. A rolling down; A descent, especially one that...

Ancestry of “devolution”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchdévolution—
2Medieval Latindevolutio—
3Latindēvolvō—
4Latindē-—
5Latindē—
6Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
7Latinposteablative singular of postis
8Proto-Italicposti—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at

Words derived from “devolution”

  • devolutionary
  • devolutionist
  • devolutional
  • antidevolution
  • antidevolutionist
  • anti-devolutionist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →