- Develop
- Develop De*vel"op (d[-e]*v[e^]l"[o^]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Developed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Developing}.] [F. d['e]veloper;
d['e]- (L. dis-) + OF. voluper, voleper, to envelop, perh.
from L. volup agreeably, delightfully, and hence orig., to
make agreeable or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug
(cf. {Voluptuous}); or. perh. fr. a derivative of volvere,
volutum, to roll (cf. {Devolve}). Cf. {Envelop}.] [Written
also {develope}.]
1. To free from that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to
lay open by degrees or in detail; to make visible or
known; to disclose; to produce or give forth; as, to
develop theories; a motor that develops 100 horse power.
[1913 Webster]
These serve to develop its tenets. --Milner. [1913 Webster]
The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and developing the line of the enemy. --The Century. [1913 Webster]
2. To unfold gradually, as a flower from a bud; hence, to bring through a succession of states or stages, each of which is preparatory to the next; to form or expand by a process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form of being; as, sunshine and rain develop the bud into a flower; to develop the mind. [1913 Webster]
The sound developed itself into a real compound. --J. Peile. [1913 Webster]
All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed. --Owen. [1913 Webster]
3. To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of. [1913 Webster]
We must develop our own resources to the utmost. --Jowett (Thucyd). [1913 Webster]
4. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value. [1913 Webster]
5. (Photog.) To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view. [1913 Webster]
{To develop a curved surface on a plane} (Geom.), to produce on the plane an equivalent surface, as if by rolling the curved surface so that all parts shall successively touch the plane.
Syn: To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
