derive

See also: derivé, dérivé, and dérive

English

Etymology

From Middle English deriven, from Old French deriver, from Latin dērīvō (to lead, turn, or draw off (a liquid), draw off, derive), from (away) + rīvus (a stream); see rival.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dəˈɹaɪv/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -aɪv

Verb

derive (third-person singular simple present derives, present participle deriving, simple past and past participle derived)

  1. (transitive) To obtain or receive (something) from something else.
    • 2013 July-August, Sarah Glaz, “Ode to Prime Numbers”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:
      Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.
  2. (transitive, logic) To deduce (a conclusion) by reasoning.
  3. (transitive, linguistics) To find the derivation of (a word or phrase).
  4. (transitive, chemistry) To create (a compound) from another by means of a reaction.
  5. (intransitive) To originate or stem (from).
    • 2012 January 1, Robert M. Pringle, “How to Be Manipulative”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 31:
      As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds.
    her excellent organisation skills derive from her time as a secretary in the army
  6. To turn the course of (water, etc.); to divert and distribute into subordinate channels.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • derive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • derive in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911

Anagrams


Asturian

Verb

derive

  1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive of derivar

Italian

Noun

derive f pl

  1. plural of deriva

Anagrams


Portuguese

Verb

derive

  1. inflection of derivar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative

Spanish

Verb

derive

  1. inflection of derivar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative
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