derive

[ dih-rahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, de·rived, de·riv·ing.

1. to receive or obtain from a source or origin (usually followed by from ).

   Synonyms: net, reap, gather, glean, attain, gain

2. to trace from a source or origin:

   English words derived from German.

3. to reach or obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer.
4. Chemistry. to produce or obtain (a substance) from another.
5. 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.

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

derive

/ dɪˈraɪv /

verb

1. usually foll by from to draw or be drawn (from) in source or origin; trace or be traced
2. tr to obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer
3. tr to trace the source or development of
4. usually foll by from to produce or be produced (from) by a chemical reaction
5. maths to obtain (a function) by differentiation

Derived Forms

• deˈrivable, adjective
• deˈriver, noun

Other Words From

• de·riv·a·ble adjective
• de·riv·er noun
• non·de·riv·a·ble adjective
• pre·de·rive verb (used with object) prederived prederiving
• un·de·riv·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of derive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diriven, deriven “to flow, draw from, spring,” from Anglo-French, Old French deriver, from Latin dērīvāre “to lead off,” equivalent to dē- de- + rīv(us) “a stream” + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of derive¹

C14: from Old French deriver to spring from, from Latin dērīvāre to draw off, from de- + rīvus a stream

Example Sentences

Others call it “Egypt” or “Little Egypt,” a nickname derived, some say, like the nearby town of Cairo, from the fertile bottomlands that once resembled its namesake.

From Washington Post

Prete’s 3-D-printed monolith of looping tendrils is both airy and imposing, with a metallic sheen derived from infused aluminum powder.

From Washington Post

Yet, agencies, in particular, are continuing to have difficulties deriving the search intelligence they need and finding ways to unlock the potential of the insights that they already have on hand.

From Search Engine Watch

Learning from mistakesD’Souza believes that these different reactions derive from the complexity of an infant’s learning environment.

From Popular-Science

Seventy companies are now moving quickly to bring to market beef and other meat, poultry and seafood products derived from muscle tissue grown in a lab with cells harvested from a living animal.

From Washington Post

What conflicts do exist between them derive from misunderstanding and accident.

From The Daily Beast

Miles beneath the surface, in the absence of sunlight, animals derive energy from volcanic vents.

From The Daily Beast

None of these scenes derive their power from the characters or the Hitchcock-Hunter plot.

From The Daily Beast

New high-value customers are what companies can derive from this.

From The Daily Beast

From that, he notes, we derive everything essential in American free-speech rights.

From The Daily Beast

Ethel's mind was in too irritated and tumultuous a state for her to derive her usual solace from Cube Root.

From Project Gutenberg

This morning's study of Brazilian history in the original language is one great advantage I derive from my removal into town.

From Project Gutenberg

England was to have thirty members more than had originally been contemplated, but Ireland was not to derive any such advantage.

From Project Gutenberg

Believing he was still sleeping, she hoped he would derive much benefit from this restful slumber.

From Project Gutenberg

From which of any number of dozen little families in Cunningham we should derive, God knows!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquire
• assume
• collect
• determine
• develop
• evolve
• extract
• glean
• infer
• obtain
• receive