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.
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.
