Develop

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DEVELOPED; p. pr. & vb. n. DEVELOPING.] [Fr. développer, from dé and O. Fr. voluper, voloper; Pr. & O. Sp. volupār, to envelop, from Lat. volup, volupe, agreeably, delightfully; hence, voluper, &c., originally to make agreeable or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug; It. disviluppare, sviluppare, to develop, viluppo, packet or bundle, intricacy. Cf. ENVELOP.] [Written also develope.]

1Sense 1. To free from a cover or envelope; to disclose or make known; 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 lay open by degrees; to unravel; as, to develop a plot.

These serve to develop its tenets. Milner.

2Sense 2. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.

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.

Synonyms—To uncover; unfold; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle; detect.

v. i. 1. To go through a process of natural evolution or outgrowth, by successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect or a finished state; as, the seed develops into a plant; the mind develops year by year.

Because not poets enough to understand That life develops from within. E. B. Browning.

2Sense 2. To be formed by natural growth; as, a blossom develops from a bud.

3Sense 3. To become visible gradually; as, a picture on sensitive paper develops on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop.

To develop. [Obs.] Bailey.