(n) (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level, Syn. maturation, ontogeny, ontogenesis, development, growing, Ant. nondevelopment, Example:he proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. [ L. maturatio a hastening: cf. F. maturation. ] The process of bringing, or of coming, to maturity; hence, specifically, the process of suppurating perfectly; the formation of pus or matter. [ 1913 Webster ]