Derivation

Derivation Der`i*va"tion, n. [L. derivatio: cf. F. d['e]rivation. See {Derive}.] 1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source. [Obs.] --T. Burnet. [1913 Webster]

2. The act of receiving anything from a source; the act of procuring an effect from a cause, means, or condition, as profits from capital, conclusions or opinions from evidence. [1913 Webster]

As touching traditional communication, . . . I do not doubt but many of those truths have had the help of that derivation. --Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster]

3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in grammar or genealogy; as, the derivation of a word from an Aryan root. [1913 Webster]

4. The state or method of being derived; the relation of origin when established or asserted. [1913 Webster]

5. That from which a thing is derived. [1913 Webster]

6. That which is derived; a derivative; a deduction. [1913 Webster]

From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of that river. --Gibbon. [1913 Webster]

7. (Math.) The operation of deducing one function from another according to some fixed law, called the law of derivation, as the operation of differentiation or of integration. [1913 Webster]

8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process. [1913 Webster]

9. The formation of a word from its more original or radical elements; also, a statement of the origin and history of a word. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]