- Derive
- Derive De*rive", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derived}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deriving}.] [F. d['e]river, L. derivare; de- + rivus
stream, brook. See {Rival}.]
1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and distribute
into subordinate channels; to diffuse; to communicate; to
transmit; -- followed by to, into, on, upon. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . they [the workman] derive it by other drains. --Holland. [1913 Webster]
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; -- followed by from. [1913 Webster]
3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from the Anglo-Saxon. [1913 Webster]
From these two causes . . . an ancient set of physicians derived all diseases. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
4. (Chem.) To obtain one substance from another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid from its corresponding hydrocarbon.
Syn: To trace; deduce; infer. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
