Derive
Pronunciation
- IPA: /dəˈɹaɪv/
Origin
From Middle English deriven, from Old French deriver, from Latin derivare ("to lead, turn, or draw off (a liquid), draw off, derive"), from de ("away") + rivus ("a stream"); see rival.
Full definition of derive
Verb
- (transitive) To obtain or receive (something) from something else.
- 2013, Sarah Glaz, Ode to Prime Numbers, 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.
- (transitive, logic) To deduce (a conclusion) by reasoning.
- (transitive, linguistics) To find the derivation of (a word or phrase).
- (transitive, chemistry) To create (a compound) from another by means of a reaction.
- (intransitive) To originate or stem (from).
- 2012-01, Robert M. Pringle, How to Be Manipulative, As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds.
- To turn the course of (water, etc.); to divert and distribute into subordinate channels.