Collins English-English Dictionary

grow [grəυ]

1. 1. vb (of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)

2. 2. vi. [intr; usually foll by out of or from] to originate, as from an initial cause or source

   the federation grew out of the Empire

3. 3. vi. [intr] to increase in size, number, degree, etc

   the population is growing rapidly

4. 4. vi. [intr] to change in length or amount in a specified direction

   some plants grow downwards

   profits over the years grew downwards

5. 5. vi. [copula; may take an infinitive] (esp of emotions, physical states, etc) to develop or come into existence or being gradually

   to grow cold

   to grow morose

   he grew to like her

6. 6. vi. [intr; usually foll by up] to come into existence

   a close friendship grew up between them

7. 7. vi. [intr; foll by together] to be joined gradually by or as by growth

   the branches on the tree grew together

8. 8. vi. [intr; foll by away, together, etc] to develop a specified state of friendship

   the lovers grew together gradually

   many friends grow apart over the years

9. 9. vi. [when intr, foll by with] to become covered with a growth

   the path grew with weeds

10. 10. vi. to produce (plants) by controlling or encouraging their growth, esp for home consumption or on a commercial basis

11. 11. vi. See also grow into grow on grow out of grow up

12. 12. vi. [Etymology] Old English growan; related to Old Norse groa, Old Frisian groia, Old High German gruoen; see green, grass