derive

de·rive

verb \di-ˈrīv, dē-\

de·rivedde·riv·ing

Definition of DERIVE

transitive verb

1

a : to take, receive, or obtain especially from a specified source

b : to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance

2

: infer, deduce

3

archaic : bring

4

: to trace the derivation of

intransitive verb

: to have or take origin : come as a derivative

— de·riv·er noun

Examples of DERIVE

1. The river derives its name from a Native American tribe.
2. Much of the book's appeal derives from the personality of its central character.

Origin of DERIVE

Middle English, from Anglo-French deriver, from Latin derivare, literally, to draw off (water), from de- + rivus stream — more at run

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DERIVE

Synonyms

conclude, decide, deduce, infer, extrapolate, gather, judge, make out, reason, understand

Related Words

assume, suppose; conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret, read; contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out

See Synonym Discussion at spring

Rhymes with DERIVE

alive, archive, Argive, arrive, back dive, beehive, connive, contrive, crash-dive, deprive, disk drive, endive, hard drive, high five, high-five, line drive, nosedive, ogive, revive, self-drive, skin-dive, skydive, survive, swan dive, take five, test-drive

de·rive

verb \di-ˈrīv\   (Medical Dictionary)

de·rived; de·riv·ing

Medical Definition of DERIVE

transitive verb

: to take, receive, or obtain, especially from a specified source; specifically : to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance

intransitive verb

: to have or take origin

—der·i·va·tion \ˌder-ə-ˈvā-shən\ (audio pronunciation) noun