verb
also de·vel·ope də̇ˈveləp, dēˈ-
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoleper, desvoloper, from des- de- + veloper, voleper, voloper to wrap up
transitive verb
1.
a. : unfold , unfurl — used only as a past participle and now only of flags
b. : to change the form of (a surface) by applying point by point to a specified surface ; specifically : to unroll (a developable surface) on a plane in this way without stretching any element
c. : to lay out (as a representation) in or evolve (as an idea) into a clear, full, and explicit presentation (as in a drawing or specification) ; specifically : to determine (as by calculating or drafting) the precise size and shape of (a sheet metal blank from which an article is to be formed)
2. : to make clear by or as if by unfolding some enclosing, enveloping, or obscuring cover
3.
a. : expound , explain
developing the thesis with great skill
b. : to make visible or manifest
c. : to treat (as a dye intermediate applied to a fiber) with an agent to cause the appearance of color : subject (as a fiber impregnated with dye intermediate) to the action of an agent to produce color ; also : to produce (color or color-producing dye) by such a method
d. : to cause (writing in secret ink) to become visible (as by the action of heat or chemicals)
e. : to subject (exposed photograph material) to a usually chemical treatment designed to produce a visible deposit in matter previously modified by radiation ; also : to render (a photographic image) visible by such a method
f. obsolete : disclose , reveal ; also : detect , discover
g. : to express (as a mathematical equation or a formula) in expanded form
h. : to elaborate (a piece of music) by means of development
4. : to open up : cause to become more completely unfolded so as to reveal hidden or unexpected qualities or potentialities
5.
a. : to make (something latent) active : cause to increase or improve : promote the growth of
he developed his muscles by exercise, his mind by reading and study
b. : to make actually available or usable (something previously only potentially available or usable)
developing the natural resources of the region
an engine that develops 100 horsepower
as
(1) : to convert (as raw land) into an area suitable for residential or business purposes
they developed several large tracts on the edge of town
also : to alter raw land into (an area suitable for building)
the subdivisions that they developed were soon built up
(2) : to prepare (a mineral-bearing deposit) for the extraction of ore (as by driving mine workings and passageways and providing power, ventilation, and other equipment)
c. : to move (a chess piece) from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use
developed the rook as soon as possible
6.
a. : to cause to unfold gradually : conduct through a succession of states or changes each of which is preparatory for the next
he developed his argument point by point
b. : to expand by a process of growth
a precocious child that developed mature breasts when 8 years old
they developed a strong militant organization
c. : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind
warm rains and summer suns develop the grain
the zygote is gradually developed into the adult plant or animal
7. : to acquire usually gradually
developing a taste for dry wines
he developed a strong dislike for his mother-in-law
often : to have (something) unfold or differentiate within one — used especially of diseases and abnormalities
too many children developed tuberculosis
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect or more highly organized state : advance from a simpler form or state of existence to one more complex either in structure or function
a blossom develops from a bud
the fever develops normally
the embryo develops into a well-formed animal
b. : to acquire secondary sex characters
she is developing rapidly for a girl of 12
c. : evolve , differentiate ; broadly : grow
2.
a. : to become gradually visible or manifest
as the photographic negative develops
his interest developed as he watched her
b. : to become apparent : come to light
it develops that neither one paid the bill
they waited to see what would develop next
3. : to develop one's pieces in chess
Synonyms: see mature , unfold