derive
[dih-rahyv]
- to receive or obtain from a source or origin (usually followed by from).
- to trace from a source or origin: English words derived from German.
- to reach or obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer.
- Chemistry. to produce or obtain (a substance) from another.
- Grammar. to create (a new linguistic form) by adding affixes to or changing the shape of a root or base: The word “runner” is derived from “run.”
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- to come from a source or origin; originate (often followed by from).
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Origin of derive
1350–1400; Middle English diriven, deriven to flow, draw from, spring < Anglo-French, Old French deriver < Latin dērīvāre to lead off, equivalent to dē- de- + rīv(us) a stream + -āre infinitive suffix
Synonyms
See more synonyms for derive on Thesaurus.com1. gain, attain, glean, gather, reap, net.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for derive
Contemporary Examples
What conflicts do exist between them derive from misunderstanding and accident.
New high-value customers are what companies can derive from this.
Mobile Telephone Startup Solavei Avoids Ads, Relies on Customers for Sales LeadsMiranda Green
October 24, 2012
From that, he notes, we derive everything essential in American free-speech rights.
So long as a single woman recognizes these things, she may derive enough pleasure from an illicit affair to make it worthwhile.
And when there are assaults, she said, “you derive energy from that…you turn negative force to more momentum.”
Historical Examples
From these I shall endeavor to derive all the advantages which they may afford.
Stevie did not seem to derive any personal gratification from what he had done.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
Let us derive instruction, as well as consolation, from this scene.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IIFrancis Augustus Cox
And from this, more than from anything else, do we derive our firm conviction of the success of our work.'
FreelandTheodor Hertzka
It would be a rather poor way to derive the pride of aristocracy.
City of Endless NightMilo Hastings
derive
- (usually foll by from) to draw or be drawn (from) in source or origin; trace or be traced
- (tr) to obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer
- (tr) to trace the source or development of
- (usually foll by from) to produce or be produced (from) by a chemical reaction
- maths to obtain (a function) by differentiation
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French deriver to spring from, from Latin dērīvāre to draw off, from de- + rīvus a stream
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for derive
v.
late 14c., from Old French deriver "to flow, pour out; derive, originate," from Latin derivare "to lead or draw off (a stream of water) from its source" (in Late Latin also "to derive"), from phrase de rivo (de "from" + rivus "stream;" see rivulet). Etymological sense is 1550s. Related: Derived; deriving.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
derive
(dĭ-rīv′)- To obtain or receive from a source.
- To produce or obtain a chemical compound from another substance by chemical reaction.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.