Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Develop
De-vel′op
(dē̍-vĕl′ŏp)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Developed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Developing
.] [F.
déveloper
; dé-
(L. dis-
) + OF. voluper
, voleper
, to envelop, perh. from L. volup
agreeably, delightfully, and hence orig., to make agreeable or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug (cf. Voluptuous
); or. perh. fr. a derivative of volvere
, volutum
, to roll (cf. Devolve
). Cf. Envelop
.] [Written also
develope
.] 1.
To free from that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to lay open by degrees or in detail; to make visible or known; to disclose; to produce or give forth;
as, to
develop
theories; a motor that develops
100 horse power.These serve to
develop
its tenets. Milner.
The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and
developing
the line of the enemy. The Century.
2.
To unfold gradually, as a flower from a bud; hence, to bring through a succession of states or stages, each of which is preparatory to the next; to form or expand by a process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form of being;
as, sunshine and rain
develop
the bud into a flower; to develop
the mind.The sound
developed
itself into a real compound. J. Peile.
All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully
developed
. Owen.
3.
To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of.
We must
develop
our own resources to the utmost. Jowett (Thucyd).
4.
(Math.)
To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
5.
(Photog.)
To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view.
Syn. – To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle.
De-vel′op
,Verb.
I.
1.
To go through a process of natural evolution or growth, by successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect or more highly organized state; to advance from a simpler form of existence to one more complex either in structure or function;
as, a blossom
develops
from a bud; the seed develops
into a plant; the embryo develops
into a well-formed animal; the mind develops
year by year.Nor poets enough to understand
That life
That life
develops
from within. Mrs. Browning.
2.
To become apparent gradually;
as, a picture on sensitive paper
develops
on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop
.Webster 1828 Edition
Develop
DEVELOP
,Verb.
T.
1.
To uncover; to unfold; to lay open; to disclose or make known something concealed or withheld from notice.The General began to develop the plan of his operations.
These serve to develop its tenets.
2.
To unravel; to unfold what is intricate; as, to develop a plot.