Hypertext Webster Gateway: "develop"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

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