v.
1) ( d ; intr. ) ('to develop') to ~ from (oaks ~ from acorns)
2) ( d ; intr. ) ('to develop') to ~ into (the small shop grew into a large firm)
3) ( colloq. ) ( d ; intr. ) to ~ on ('to become likable') (the strange new sculpture just ~s on you)
4) ( d ; intr. ) to ~ out of ('to become too large for') (the children grew out of their clothes)
5) ( d ; intr. ) ('to develop') to ~ out of (the city grew out of a small village)
6) ( d ; intr. ) ('to develop') to ~ to (to ~ to adulthood; to ~ to one's full height)
7) ( E ) ('to begin') we grew to love them
8) (s) ('to become') to ~ longer; old; older; taller (in the autumn/fall the days ~ longer)
USAGE NOTE: The verb ~ 'to become' often suggests a gradual process rather than a sudden change. Compare to ~ cold (gradually) and to turn cold (suddenly).