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 verb1 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 theme2 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 use4 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 verb1 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 characteristics2: to become gradually manifest3: 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