Main Entry: de·vel·op

Pronunciation: \di-ˈvel-əp\

Function: transitive verb

1 a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed their muscles by weight lifting> b : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <the zygote is gradually developed into the adult plant or animal>
2 : to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

intransitive verb

1 : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive stages <the fever develops normally> <the embryo develops into a well-formed human being>
2 : to acquire secondary sex characteristics <she is developing rapidly for a girl of 12>