\De*vel"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Developed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Developing}.] [F. d['e]veloper; d['e]- (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.