deduce

American  

[dih-doos, -dyoos] / dɪˈdus, -ˈdyus /

verb (used with object)

deduced, deducing

1. to derive as a conclusion from something known or assumed; infer.

   From the evidence the detective deduced that the gardener had done it.

   Synonyms:

   determine, gather, reason, conclude

2. to trace the derivation of; trace the course of.

   to deduce one's lineage.

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deduce British  

/ dɪˈdjuːs /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to reach (a conclusion about something) by reasoning; conclude (that); infer

2. archaic to trace the origin, course, or derivation of

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Other Word Forms

• deducibility
  noun
• deducible
  adjective
• deducibleness
  noun
• deducibly
  adverb
• nondeducible
  adjective
• subdeducible
  adjective
• undeduced
  adjective
• undeducible
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of deduce

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēdūcere “to lead down, derive,” from dē- de- + dūcere “to lead”

Explanation

To deduce is to figure something out based on what you already know. When you see a person crying, it's easy to deduce that the person is sad. Unless they're happy, of course. Sometimes happy people cry. Derived from the Latin ducere, meaning "to lead," a person who deduces something is "leading" their mind from one idea to the next. Deduction is a noun from the verb deduce: it's what we call something that we learn when we deduce. Sherlock Holmes, the famous investigator created by Arthur Conan Doyle, was a master of deduction. He could deduce from a few small clues all of the facts of a murder case.

Example Sentences

Jockey Coucci's mounts were Fidelis, Deduce and General Farley, named for the Postmaster General who arrived later in the week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Deduce from a remark of Mr. Weller, junr., the price per mile of cabs at the period.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7 by Warner, Charles Dudley

But no reasoning can show to the child who has learned "Deduce, to draw," that he must not say, "I tried to deduce the horse from the stable;" or, "Deciduous, falling."

From In the School-Room Chapters in the Philosophy of Education by Hart, John S. (John Seely)

Deduce from his costume the independence of his character and the precise slant of his propensities.

From With the Procession by Fuller, Henry Blake

Deduce from expressions used on one occasion Mr. Pickwick's maximum of speed.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7 by Warner, Charles Dudley

Related Words

• deduct
• glean
• infer
• presuppose
• surmise