Translate derive | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of derive
verb
[with object] (derive something from) obtain something from (a specified source):they derived great comfort from this assurance (
derive something from)
base a concept on a logical extension or modification of (another concept):Eliot derived his poetics from the French Symbolists [no object] (
derive from)
(of a word) have (a specified word, usually of another language) as a root or origin:the word “punch” derives from the Hindustani “pancha” (be derived from)the word “man” is derived from the Sanskrit “manu.” [no object] (
derive from)
arise from or originate in (a specified source):words whose spelling derives from Dr. Johnson’s incorrect etymology (
be derived from)
Linguistics (of an expression in a natural language) be linked by a set of stages to (its underlying abstract form). (
be derived from)
(of a substance) be formed or prepared by (a chemical or physical process affecting another substance):strong acids are derived from the combustion of fossil fuels Mathematics obtain (a function or equation) from another by a sequence of logical steps, for example by differentiation.
