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Develop vs Prepare - What's the difference?

develop | prepare |

In intransitive terms the difference between develop and prepare

is that develop is to change with a specific direction, progress while prepare is to make oneself ready; to get ready, make preparation.

In transitive terms the difference between develop and prepare

is that develop is to acquire something usually over a period of time while prepare is to produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.

As a noun prepare is

preparation.

develop

English

(Development)

Alternative forms

* develope (obsolete)

Verb

  • To change with a specific direction, progress.
  • (ambitransitive) To progress through a sequence of stages.
  • * Owen
  • All insects acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed .
  • To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.
  • * Jowett (Thucyd)
  • We must develop our own resources to the utmost.
  • To create.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Catherine Clabby
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Focus on Everything , passage=Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.
  • To bring out images latent in photographic film.
  • To acquire something usually over a period of time.
  • (chess) To place one's pieces actively.
  • (snooker, pool) To cause a ball to become more open and available to be played on later. Usually by moving it away from the cushion, or by opening a pack.
  • (math) To change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
  • Usage notes

    * Objects: plan, software, program, product, story, idea.

    prepare

    English

    Verb

    (prepar)
  • To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble.
  • * Bible, Psalms cvii. 36
  • that they may prepare a city for habitation
  • * Dryden
  • our souls, not yet prepared for upper light
  • To make ready for eating or drinking; to cook.
  • To make oneself ready; to get ready, make preparation.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=19 citation , passage=As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.}}
  • To produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that can take a following verb in its to + infinitive form. See

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l), (l), (l), (l)

    Noun

  • (obsolete) preparation
  • * 1595 , , IV. i. 130:
  • Go levy men, and make prepare for war;

    Anagrams

    * * ----