What does "derive" mean?

1. (to obtain from a source) to get something, like a feeling or an advantage, from a specific source. 2. (to originate or stem from) to come from or start as something else. 3. (to deduce by logic) to reach a conclusion by looking at facts and using your reason. 4. (to create a chemical compound) to make a new chemical substance from another one.

derive

US //dɝˈaɪv// UK //dɪɹˈaɪv// de·rive

1 to obtain from a source (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to get something, like a feeling or an advantage, from a specific source.

to obtain or receive something from a specified source. Transitive; frequently used with the preposition 'from'.

Example

Many people derive great pleasure from gardening on the weekends.

Example

The local economy derives significant benefits from the annual music festival, which attracts thousands of international tourists to the region.
2 to originate or stem from (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to come from or start as something else.

to have a specified beginning or origin. Intransitive; almost exclusively used with 'from'.

Example

The word 'paper' derives from the name of the papyrus plant.

Example

The modern legal framework derives from centuries of common law traditions and judicial precedents established in the high courts.

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3 to deduce by logic (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Logic

to reach a conclusion by looking at facts and using your reason.

to deduce a conclusion or principle by reasoning from premises. Transitive; common in formal logic and scientific writing.

Example

Scientists can derive new theories by looking at the data from their experiments.

Example

From these initial observations, the researchers were able to derive a mathematical model that predicts how the virus spreads through a population.
4 to create a chemical compound (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

to make a new chemical substance from another one.

to produce or obtain a compound from another substance by a chemical reaction.

Example

This medicine is derived from a rare type of tree bark.

Example

The laboratory succeeded in deriving a stable isotope from the base element, marking a significant breakthrough in nuclear medicine.
- synthesise
- produce

Origin

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

Word family

Verbderive
Nounderivation
Nounderivative