v.
Pronunciation: di- ' vel- ə p, d ē -
Function: verb
Etymology: French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + en voloper to enclose ― more at ENVELOP
Date: 1750
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 < develop ed 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 < develop ed 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 < develop ed 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 develop s from a bud> b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics
2 : to become gradually manifest
3 : to come into being gradually <the situation develop ing in eastern Europe> also : TURN OUT 2A <it develop ed that no one had paid the bill>
– de · vel · op · able \ - ' ve-l ə -p ə -b ə l \ adjective