derive

[dih-rahyv]

See more synonyms for derive on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), de·rived, de·riv·ing.

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.”

verb (used without object), de·rived, de·riv·ing.

to come from a source or origin; originate (often followed by from).

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

Related formsde·riv·a·ble, adjectivede·riv·er, nounnon·de·riv·a·ble, adjectivepre·de·rive, verb (used with object), pre·de·rived, pre·de·riv·ing.self-de·rived, adjectiveun·de·riv·a·ble, adjectivewell-de·rived, adjective

Synonyms for derive

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1. gain, attain, glean, gather, reap, net.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for derive

evolve, develop, receive, glean, acquire, obtain, collect, assume, determine, extract, infer, draw, trace, formulate, get, make, gather, reach, procure, excogitate

Examples from the Web for derive

Contemporary Examples of derive

What conflicts do exist between them derive from misunderstanding and accident.
The 2014 Novel of the Year
Nathaniel Rich
December 29, 2014
New high-value customers are what companies can derive from this.
Mobile Telephone Startup Solavei Avoids Ads, Relies on Customers for Sales Leads
Miranda Green
October 24, 2012
From that, he notes, we derive everything essential in American free-speech rights.
Free Speech: A Cloistered Value?
Hussein Ibish
September 21, 2012
So long as a single woman recognizes these things, she may derive enough pleasure from an illicit affair to make it worthwhile.
Helen Gurley Brown: 10 Best Tips From ‘Sex and the Single Girl’
Lizzie Crocker
August 14, 2012
And when there are assaults, she said, “you derive energy from that…you turn negative force to more momentum.”
Women World Leaders Share Lessons Learned as Council Marks 15th Year
Eleanor Clift
January 12, 2012

Historical Examples of derive

From these I shall endeavor to derive all the advantages which they may afford.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Stevie did not seem to derive any personal gratification from what he had done.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
Let us derive instruction, as well as consolation, from this scene.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II
Francis Augustus Cox
And from this, more than from anything else, do we derive our firm conviction of the success of our work.'
Freeland
Theodor Hertzka
It would be a rather poor way to derive the pride of aristocracy.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings

British Dictionary definitions for derive

derive

verb

(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

Derived Formsderivable, adjectivederiver, noun

Word Origin for derive

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for derive

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.

derive in Medicine

derive

[dĭ-rīv′]

To obtain or receive from a source.
To produce or obtain a chemical compound from another substance by chemical reaction.