development English · revision 2507

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1756}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|develop|-ment]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) after French [[m|fr|développement]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A gradual unfolding, the full working out of the details of something: 1756,^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) though the HTOED records senses such as “progress, furtherance” from 1724.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The biological sense, the growth of an organism, is recorded from 1740.^(HTOED) Etymonline dates the internal process of growth to 1796, and advancement through stages to 1836.^(Etymonline) The sense “disclosure” was used from 1756 to 1851.^(HTOED) The development of land or property, bringing out its possibilities for use or profit, is from 1885, and a country's economic development from 1902.^(Etymonline) The spelling ''developement'' is now rare.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1724 – progress, furtherance.^(HTOED)

+ * 1740 – biological growth.^(HTOED)

+ * 1756 – a gradual unfolding.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1796 – the process of growth.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1836 – advance through stages.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1885 – of property.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1902 – economic development.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of developing.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The state of being developed.^(AHD)

+ # A significant event or change: ''the latest developments''.^(AHD)

+ # A group of houses built by the same developer.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Work to apply a new device or process to production.^(AHD)

+ # ''(music)'' The working out of a theme with variation.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[developmental]]

+ * [[developmentally]]

+ * [[predevelopment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[develop]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary groups ''development'' with ''evolution'' and ''progress'', all meaning progression to a more advanced or complex form.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}