underdevelop

American  

[uhn-der-di-vel-uhp] / ˌʌn dər dɪˈvɛl əp /

verb (used with object)

1. to develop (something) short of the required amount.

   to underdevelop film.

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underdevelop British  

/ ˌʌndədɪˈvɛləp /

verb

1. (tr) photog to process (a film, plate, or paper) in developer for less than the required time, or at too low a temperature, or in an exhausted solution

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Other Word Forms

• underdevelopment noun

Etymology

Origin of underdevelop

under- + develop

Example Sentences

The Capitol building ought to be the symbolic center of the city—as it is in the street grid with its four quadrants—but the avenue running east is underdeveloped.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brazil is one of the world’s major sources of the world’s iron ore, and has vast—yet underdeveloped—deposits of rare earths such as manganese, Lifton said.

From Barron's

Instead, U.S. markets have been left in the shade this year by international rivals, including developed markets, underdeveloped “emerging” markets, and even the really undeveloped “frontier” markets.

From MarketWatch

But its production infrastructure is still underdeveloped, making processing relatively expensive, Ms Zhang said.

From BBC

"People often assume rural means underdeveloped, but our centres mirror urban IT hubs in every way – secure data access, reliable connectivity, and uninterrupted power. The only difference is geography. "

From BBC