Search Result for "deriving": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase;
[syn: deriving, derivation, etymologizing]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deriving n 1: (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase [syn: deriving, derivation, etymologizing]