develop

develop [di vel′əp]

vt.

[Fr développer < OFr desveloper < des- (L dis-), apart + voloper, to wrap, prob. OIt viluppo, a bundle < ? faluppa, bundle of straw; infl. by L volvere, to roll]

I to cause to grow gradually in some way

1. to build up or expand (a business, industry, etc.)

2. to make stronger or more effective; strengthen (muscles)

3. to bring (something latent or hypothetical) into activity or reality

4. to cause (one's personality, a bud, etc.) to unfold or evolve gradually

5. to make (housing, highways, etc.) more available or extensive

6. Chess to position (chessmen or a chessman) strategically in the early stages of a game

7. Music to elaborate (a theme) as by rhythmic or melodic changes

8. Photog.

a) to immerse (an exposed film, plate, or printing paper) in various chemical solutions in order to make the picture visible

b) to make (a picture) visible by doing this

II to show or work out by degrees

1. to make (a theme or plot) known gradually

2. to explain more clearly; enlarge upon

3. Geom. to change the form of (a surface); esp., to flatten out (a curved surface)

4. Math. to work out in detail or expand (a function or expression)

vi.

1. to come into being or activity; occur or happen

2. to become larger, fuller, better, etc.; grow or evolve, esp. by natural processes

☆ 3. to become known or apparent; be disclosed

4. to progress economically, socially, and politically from an underdeveloped condition [the developing nations]

developable

adj.