GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Develop (dḗ‑vĕlˈŏp), 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.”
   
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   These serve to develop its tenets. Milner.
   
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   The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and developing the line of the enemy. The Century.
   
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   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.”
   
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   The sound developed itself into a real compound. J. Peile.
   
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   All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed. Owen.
   
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   3. To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of.
   
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   We must develop our own resources to the utmost. Jowett (Thucyd).
   
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   4. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
   
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   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.
   
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   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.
   
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2.       
   developing adj.
   1. not industrialized but undergoing industrialization; -- sometimes used as a euphemism for "undeveloped"; -- of nations.
   
   Syn. -- underdeveloped.
   
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   2. [pr. p. of develop (WN definition 5)] becoming or arising; as, “the rushing yellow of the developing day”.
   
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3.       
   developing n. the process of treating a photosensitive material with chemicals in order to make a latent image visible.
   
   Syn. -- development.
   
   [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]