Search Result for "derivation": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (8)

1. the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues);
- Example: "he prefers shoes of Italian derivation"
- Example: "music of Turkish derivation"

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

3. a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions;

4. (descriptive linguistics) the process whereby new words are formed from existing words or bases by affixation;
- Example: "`singer' from `sing'; or `undo'; from `do'; are examples of derivations";

5. inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline;
[syn: ancestry, lineage, derivation, filiation]

6. drawing of fluid or inflammation away from a diseased part of the body;

7. drawing off water from its main channel as for irrigation;

8. the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin;


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

derivation n 1: the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues); "he prefers shoes of Italian derivation"; "music of Turkish derivation" 2: (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase [syn: deriving, derivation, etymologizing] 3: a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions 4: (descriptive linguistics) the process whereby new words are formed from existing words or bases by affixation; "`singer' from `sing' or `undo' from `do' are examples of derivations" 5: inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline [syn: ancestry, lineage, derivation, filiation] 6: drawing of fluid or inflammation away from a diseased part of the body 7: drawing off water from its main channel as for irrigation 8: the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin