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underdeveloped

 - 6 dictionary results

un⋅der⋅de⋅vel⋅oped

  [uhn-der-di-vel-uhpt]
Use underdeveloped in a Sentence
–adjective
1. improperly or insufficiently developed.
2. Photography. (of a negative) less developed than is normal, so as to produce a relatively dark positive lacking in contrast.
3. developing (def. 2).
Origin:
1890–95; under- + develop + -ed 2

un⋅der⋅de⋅vel⋅op

  [uhn-der-di-vel-uhp]
–verb (used with object)
to develop (something) short of the required amount: to underdevelop film.
Origin:
under- + develop

Related forms:
un⋅der⋅de⋅vel⋅op⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To underdeveloped
un·der·de·vel·oped   (ŭn'dər-dĭ-věl'əpt)   
adj.  

  1. Not adequately or normally developed; immature: underdeveloped leaves and flowers.

  2. Processed in too weak a developing solution, or for too short a time, or at too low a temperature to produce a normal degree of contrast. Used of film.

  3. Having a low level of economic productivity and technological sophistication within the contemporary range of possibility; developing: underdeveloped countries.

un'der·de·vel'op·ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

underdeveloped 
1892, in the photography sense, under + pp. of develop. In ref. to countries or regions, recorded from 1949.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: un·der·de·vel·oped
Pronunciation: "&n-d&r-di-'vel-&pt
Function: adjective
: not normally or adequatelydeveloped <underdeveloped muscles> <underdeveloped sex organs>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

underdeveloped un·der·de·vel·oped (ŭn'dər-dĭ-věl'əpt)
adj.
Not adequately or normally developed; immature.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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