Devolution and Declination

noun

• The process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality.
  • synonyms: degeneration
• The delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government. ).
  • synonyms: devolvement

• (n.) The act of rolling down.
• (n.) Transference from one person to another; a passing or devolving upon a successor.

DEVOLUTION is the delegation of authority from higher to lower levels.

noun

• A condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state.
  • synonyms: decline
• A downward slope or bend.
  • synonyms: descent, declivity, fall, decline, declension, downslope
• Astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial body north or to the south of the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere.
  • synonyms: celestial latitude, dec
• A polite refusal of an invitation.
  • synonyms: regrets

• (n.) The act of inflecting a word; declension. See Decline, v. t., 4.
• (n.) The act or state of bending downward; inclination; as, declination of the head.
• (n.) The act or state of falling off or declining from excellence or perfection; deterioration; decay; decline.
• (n.) The act or state of declining or refusing; withdrawal; refusal; averseness.
• (n.) The angular distance of any object from the celestial equator, either northward or southward.
• (n.) The act of deviating or turning aside; oblique motion; obliquity; withdrawal.
• (n.) The arc of the horizon, contained between the vertical plane and the prime vertical circle, if reckoned from the east or west or between the meridian and the plane, reckoned from the north or south.

(DoD, NATO) The angular distance to a body on the celestial sphere measured north or south through 90 degrees from the celestial equator along the hour circle of the body. Comparable to latitude on the terrestrial sphere. See also magnetic declination; magnetic variation.