derived
v. · adj.-
1 obtained from a source (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto have come from or been taken from a specific source.
the past participle of 'derive', indicating that something was obtained, extracted, or traced back to a specific origin.
ExampleThe new medicine was derived from a rare plant found in the rainforest.
ExampleThe legal principles applied in this case were derived from centuries of common law tradition rather than recent legislative changes.
UsageOften used in the passive voice with the preposition 'from'.
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2 not original (adj.) C1 Advanced Academicsomething that is based on or created from something else, rather than being completely new.
describing something that is secondary or developed from a primary source; in linguistics, refers to a word formed from another.
ExampleThe word 'happiness' is a derived word because it comes from 'happy'.
ExampleCritics argued that the composer's later symphonies were overly derived, lacking the raw innovation of his early avant-garde period.
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3 evolutionary change (adj.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencehaving traits that are different from an ancestor species.
pertaining to traits or conditions unique to a descendant species that were not present in its ancestral lineage.
ExampleWalking on two legs is a derived trait that separates humans from other apes.
ExampleThe presence of feathers is a derived characteristic that distinguishes the avian lineage from its reptilian ancestors.