Main Entry: de·vel·op

Pronunciation: \di-ˈvel-əp, dē-\

Function: verb

Etymology: French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper 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 <developed 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 <developed 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 <developed 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 develops from a bud> b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics
2 : to become gradually manifest
3 : to come into being gradually <the situation developing in eastern Europe>; also : turn out 2a <it developed that no one had paid the bill>

— de·vel·op·able \-ˈve-lə-pə-bəl\ adjective