Develop \De*vel"op\ (d[-e]*v[e^]l"[o^]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Developed; p. pr. & vb. n. Developing.] [F. d['e]veloper;
d['e]- (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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