Chapter Devastation to Devilry of D by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Syn. — To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle.

Develop
(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.

Developable
(De*vel"op*a*ble) a. Capable of being developed. J. Peile.

Developable surface (Math.), a surface described by a moving right line, and such that consecutive positions of the generator intersect each other. Hence, the surface can be developed into a plane.

Developer
(De*vel"op*er) n.

1. One who, or that which, develops.

2. (Photog.) A reagent by the action of which the latent image upon a photographic plate, after exposure in the camera, or otherwise, is developed and visible.

Development
(De*vel"op*ment) n. [Cf. F. développement.] [Written also developement.]

1. The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state.

A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.

Channing.

2. (Biol.) The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization.

3. (Math.) (a) The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning. (b) The equivalent expression into which another has been developed.

4. (mus.) The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.

Development theory (Biol.), the doctrine that animals and plants possess the power of passing by slow and successive stages from a lower to a higher state of organization, and that all the higher forms of life now in existence were thus developed by uniform laws from lower forms, and are not the result of special creative acts. See the Note under Darwinian.

Syn. — Unfolding; disclosure; unraveling; evolution; elaboration; growth.

Developmental
(De*vel`op*men"tal) a. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the process of development; as, the developmental power of a germ. Carpenter.

Devenustate
(Dev`e*nus"tate) v. t. [L. devenustatus, p. p. of devenustare to disfigure; de + venustus lovely, graceful.] To deprive of beauty or grace. [Obs.]

Devergence
(De*ver"gence De*ver"gen*cy) n. See Divergence. [Obs.]