Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Developer

Developer , noun

1.
One who, or that which, develops.

By the action of the developer, the latent image on a photographic plate or film, not perceptible to the eye after exposure in the camera, is developed and becomes visible.

2.
(Photography) A chemical bath or reagent used in developing photographs.
3.
(Dyeing) A reagent used to produce an ingrain color by its action upon some substance on the fiber.
4.
a corporation or individual who finances or organizes a real estate development{5}.