De*vel"op (?), v. i. 1. To
go through a process of
natural evolution or growth, by
successive changes from
a less perfect to a
more perfect or more highly organized state; to advance from a simpler form of existence to one more complex either in structure or function; as, a blossom
develops from a bud; the seed
develops into a plant; the embryo develops into a well-formed
animal; the mind develops year by year.
Nor poets enough to understand
That life develops from within.
Mrs. Browning.
2. To become apparent gradually; as, a picture on
sensitive paper
develops on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop.
De*vel"op (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Developed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Developing.]
[F. déveloper; dé-
(L. dis-) + OF. voluper, voleper, to
envelop, perh. from L. volup agreeably,
delightfully, and hence orig.,
to make agreeable or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug
(cf. Voluptuous); or. perh. fr. a derivative of volvere,
volutum, to roll (cf.
Devolve). Cf. Envelop.] [Written also develope.] 1. To free from
that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to lay open by
degrees or in detail; to make visible or known; to disclose; to produce or give forth; as, to develop theories; a motor that develops 100 horse power.
These serve to develop its tenets.
Milner.
The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and developing
the line of
the enemy.
The Century.
2. 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 form or expand by a process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form
of being; as, sunshine and rain develop the bud into a flower; to develop the mind.
The
sound developed itself into a
real compound.
J. Peile. All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully
developed.
Owen.
3. To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of.
We must develop our own resources to the utmost.
Jowett (Thucyd). 4. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression,
by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
5. (Photog.)
To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view.
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.
Syn. --
To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle.
Hear it pronounced