01 v. t. 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 prod…
imp. & p. p.
Developed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Developing
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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.
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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.“The sound developed itself into a real compound.” — J. Peile.“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.“We must develop our own resources to the utmost.” — Jowett (Thucyd).
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4.
To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.(Math.)
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5.
To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view.(Photog.)
Phrases & compounds
To develop a curved surface on a plane —
to produce on the plane an equivalent surface, as if by rolling the curved surface so that all parts shall successively touch the plane.