deriving
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phraseSynonyms: derivationetymologizingType of explanation, account
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
“deriving” is listed under Derive.
Origin: F. dériver, 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. obsolete
For fear it [water] choke up the pits... they [the workman] derive it by other drains.— Philemon Holland
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share.— Edmund Spenser
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah.— Taylor, Jeremy
2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; — followed by from.
3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from the Anglo-Saxon.
From these two causes... an ancient set of physicians derived all diseases.— John Arbuthnot
4. Chemistry To obtain one substance from another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid from its corresponding hydrocarbon.
Synonyms: To trace; deduce; infer.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54