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 derived
Contemporary Examples
The name Easter may, or may not, be derived from the Sumerian goddess Inanna, or Ishtar—the source of the Hebrew name Esther.
He derived enormous satisfaction from some customers choosing to base the rest of their wardrobe around his socks.
In recent years, mindfulness meditation, which is derived from Buddhist Vipassana techniques, has exploded in popularity.
The term “gestation,” for instance, is derived from the Latin verb gestāre, used to describe a mammal carrying a burden.
We worked really hard to make sure that the humor we got was derived from who those characters were.
Historical Examples
He underwent various operations, but derived only partial benefit from them.
HandelEdward J. Dent
The only philosophy of life is that derived from its science.
The Call of the Twentieth CenturyDavid Starr Jordan
It is known that Arimaxus was derived from a hole in the earth, made by a stroke of lightning.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
I can foresee other objections, derived from topics which have not here been treated of.
In proportion as the union is incomplete, the derived life is imperfect.
A Dish Of OrtsGeorge MacDonald
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 derived
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.