develop - English dictionary definition

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1. Develop  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.
2. Develop  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.
3. Develop  To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of.
4. Develop  To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
5. Develop  To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view.
6. Develop  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.
7. Develop  To become apparent gradually; as, a picture on sensitive paper develops on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop.
8. develop  come to have or undergo a change of physical features and attributes; "He grew a beard"; "The patient developed abdominal pains"; "I got funny spots all over my body"; "Well-developed breasts"