derive

/dɪˈraɪv/

/dɪˈraɪv/

Other forms: derived; derives; deriving

If you want to talk about something that comes from something else, but you want to sound sophisticated and maybe financial or scientific, use derive, like so: That scent? It's derived from a solution of roses boiled with toothpicks.

The word derive derives from (see how we did that?) the Latin rivus or stream, as in water. That image of the stream may help you remember the meaning of derive; you may picture tracing tiny streams back to their main source. Derive is a verb, as you can see, but it's often in the news in the noun form derivative: something that is derived from something else, as in "juice is a derivative of an orange."

Definitions of derive

1. verb

   come from
   “The present name derives from an older form”

   synonyms:

   come, descend

   come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example

   type of:

   evolve

   undergo development or evolution
2. verb

   obtain
   “derive pleasure from one's garden”

   synonyms: gain

   types:

   draw, reap

   get or derive

   type of:

   obtain

   come into possession of
3. verb

   reason by deduction; establish by deduction
   synonyms: deduce, deduct, infer

   types:

   extrapolate

   gain knowledge of (an area not known or experienced) by extrapolating

   surmise

   infer from incomplete evidence

   elicit

   derive by reason

   type of:

   conclude, reason, reason out

   decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion
4. verb

   develop or evolve from a latent or potential state
   synonyms: educe

   types:

   etymologise, etymologize

   give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word)

   type of:

   create, make

   make or cause to be or to become
5. verb

   come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example
   synonyms: come, descend

   come, hail

   be a native of