The term DEVELOPS OVER TIME can be summarized as EVOLVES, a 7-letter word. Evolution is the process of change over time, and is a fundamental concept in biology. It is the process by which species adapt to their environment, and is the driving force behind the diversity of life on Earth. Evolution occurs through the gradual accumulation of genetic mutations, which are passed down from generation to generation. Over time, these mutations can lead to the emergence of new species, or the extinction of existing ones.