grow

—growable, adj.

/groh/, v., grew, grown, growing.

v.i.

1. to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.

2. to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.

3. to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source: Our friendship grew from common interests.

4. to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand: His influence has grown.

5. to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth: The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.

6. to come to be by degrees; become: to grow old.

7. Naut. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.

v.t.

8. to cause to grow: They grow corn.

9. to allow to grow: to grow a beard.

10. to cover with a growth (used in the passive): a field grown with corn.

11. grow into,

a. to become large enough for: He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.

b. to become mature or experienced enough for: She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.

12. grow on or upon,

a. to increase in influence or effect: An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.

b. to become gradually more liked or accepted by: a village by the sea that grows on one.

13. grow out of,

a. to become too large or mature for; outgrow: He has grown out of all his clothes.

b. to originate in; develop from: The plan grew out of a casual conversation.

14. grow up,

a. to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.

b. to come into existence; arise: New cities grew up in the desert.

[bef. 900; ME growen, OE growan; c. D groeien, OHG grouwan, ON groa]

Syn. 1. develop, multiply, swell, enlarge, expand, extend. 3. originate. 4. wax. 8. raise, cultivate, produce.

Ant. 1. decrease. 4. wane.

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