[de.vel.op] vb [F developper, fr. OF desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, fr. des- de- + envoloper to enclose--more at envelop] vt (1750) 1 a: to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail: expound 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) esp. to chemicals in order to produce a visible image; also: to make visible by such a method e: to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme
2: to work out the possibilities of 3 a: to make active or promote the growth of "~ed his muscles" b (1): to make available or usable "~ natural resources" (2): to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes 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 "~ed his argument" b: to expand by a process of growth "~ed a strong organization" c: to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind "rain and sun ~ the grain" d: to have unfold or differentiate within one "~ed pneumonia"
5: to acquire gradually "~ an appreciation for ballet" ~ vi 1 a: to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes "a blossom ~s from a bud" b: to acquire secondary sex characters
2: to become gradually manifest
3: to come into being gradually "the situation ~ing in eastern Europe"; also: turn out vi 2a "it ~ed that no one had paid the bill" -- de.vel.op.able adj