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- DictionaryDe·vel·op/dəˈveləp/
verb
- 1. grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate: "motion pictures developed into mass entertainment" Similar growevolvematureexpandenlargespreadadvanceprogressprospersucceedthriveget on wellflourishblossombloomburgeonmake headwaybe successfulinformal:go great gunsinitiateinstigateset in motionput in placeinstituteinaugurateoriginateinventformestablishfashiongenerateundertakeembark on
- ▪ (of a poor agricultural country) become more economically and socially advanced: "the country is developing at a rapid rate and the economy is booming"
- ▪ convert (land) to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making other use of its resources: "plans to develop the area"
- ▪ construct or convert (a building) so as to improve existing resources: "the company developed a chain of hotels"
- ▪ elaborate (a musical theme) by modification of the melody, harmony, or rhythm: "the piano develops the melody into a short cadenza" Similar expandenlargeadd toflesh outsupplementreinforceaugmentextendbroadenfill outembellishenhanceelaborateamplifyrefineimprovepolishperfect
- ▪ convert (a curved surface) conceptually into a plane figure as if by unrolling.
- ▪ expand (a function, etc.) in the form of a series.
- 2. start to exist, experience, or possess: "a strange closeness developed" Similar come into beingcome aboutstartbeginbe borncome into existenceappeararrivecome forthemergeeruptburst outariseoriginatebreakunfoldcrop upfollowhappenresultensuebreak outformal:commencefall ill withbe taken ill withbe struck down withbe stricken withsuccumb tocontractcatchgetpick upcome down withbecome infected withgo down withinformal:take ill withtake sick with
- 3. treat (a photographic film) with chemicals to make a visible image: "she came to get the film developed"
- 4. bring (a piece) into play from its initial position on a player's back rank: "he preferred to develop his bishop on e7"
Word Origin mid 17th century (in the sense ‘unfold, unfurl’): from French développer, based on Latin dis- ‘un-’ + a second element of unknown origin found also in envelop.
Scrabble Points: 13
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2E
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