grow definition

1. To increase in size by a natural and organic process; to increase in bulk by the gradual assimilation of new matter into the living organism; said of animals and vegetables and their organs.

2. To increase in any way; to become larger and stronger; to be augmented; to advance; to extend; to wax; to accrue. "Winter began to grow fast on." (Knolles) "Even just the sum that I do owe to you Is growing to me by Antipholus." (Shak)

3. To spring up and come to matturity in a natural way; to be produced by vegetation; to thrive; to flourish; as, rice grows in warm countries. "Where law faileth, error groweth." (Gower)

4. To pass from one state to another; to result as an effect from a cause; to become; as, to grow pale. "For his mind Had grown Suspicion's sanctuary." (Byron)

5. To become attached of fixed; to adhere. "Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow." (Shak) Growing cell, or Growing slide, a device for preserving alive a minute object in water continually renewed, in a manner to permit its growth to be watched under the microscope. Grown over, covered with a growth. To grow out of, to issue from, as plants from the soil, or as a branch from the main stem; to result from. "These wars have grown out of commercial considerations." (A. Hamilton) To grow up, to arrive at full stature or maturity; as, grown up children. To grow together, to close and adhere; to become united by growth, as flesh or the bark of a tree severed.

Synonyms: To become, increase, enlarge, augment, improve, expand, extend.

Origin: AS. Grawan; akin to D. Groeijen, Icel. Groa, Dan. Groe, Sw. Gro. Cf. Green, Grass.