develop
/dɪˈvɛləp/
verb
Origin
Old French
desveloper — to unwrap, unfold
Overview
Meaning Now
- To grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.
- To start to exist, experience, or possess over a period of time.
- To treat a photographic film with chemicals to make a visible image.
Literal older meaning
to unwrap or unfold
Language path
Old French → Middle French → English
Earliest form
développer
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term entered English from the French 'développer'. The suffix '-er' became 'develop' through the loss of the infinitive ending in English adaptation. Its figurative sense of 'growing' expanded significantly during the Industrial Revolution and the birth of photography.
Evolution
- Old French
desveloper
“to unwrap”
Prefix des- (reversal) + voloper (to wrap)
- Middle French
développer
“to reveal or unfold”
- Early Modern English
develop
“to unfold or uncover”
Initially used in the context of mathematical or physical exposition.
- 19th century
develop
“to progress toward maturity”
Influenced by scientific discourse on evolution and growth.
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
reversal or removal
velop
root
to wrap or cover
Related across languages
French
développer
to develop or unwrap
Spanish
desarrollar
to develop
Explore next
Related to develop
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.