Develop
From Nordan Symposia
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Etymology
French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper to enclose
- Date: 1750
Definitions
- 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>
- 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
- 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>