Develop

Etymology

French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper to enclose

• Date: 1750

Definitions

transitive verb

• 1 a : to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail : expound <develop a thesis>

b : to make visible or manifest

c : to treat (as in dyeing) with an agent to cause the appearance of color

d : to subject (exposed photograph material) especially to chemicals in order to produce a visible image <develop film>; also : to make visible by such a method <develop pictures>

e : to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme

• 2 a : to work out the possibilities of <develop an idea>

b : to create or produce especially by deliberate effort over time <develop new ways of doing business> <develop software>

• 3 a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed his muscles>

b (1) : to make available or usable <develop natural resources>

(2) : to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes <develop land>

c : to move (as a chess piece) from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use

• 4 a : to cause to unfold gradually <developed his argument>

b : to expand by a process of growth <working to develop the company further>

c : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <rain and sun develop the grain>

d : to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

• 5 : to acquire gradually <develop an appreciation for ballet>

intransitive verb

• 1 a : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes <a blossom develops from a bud>

b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics

• 2 : to become gradually manifest
• 3 : to come into being gradually <the situation developing in eastern Europe>;

also : turn out 2a <it developed that no one had paid the bill>

See Also

• Growth