Derive

Derive is a verb with several related senses centered on obtaining, inferring, or originating something from a source. It can mean to obtain or extract a result from a source, to deduce or infer a conclusion from facts, or to originate or be derived from a particular origin or parent.

In mathematics, derive refers to finding the derivative of a function. The derivative measures the instantaneous rate of change of a quantity with respect to an independent variable. The operation is fundamental to calculus, typically denoted by d/dx or by f′(x). Derivation underpins many applications in physics, engineering, economics, and beyond.

In linguistics, derivation is the process of creating a new word by adding affixes or altering its form, often changing its word class or meaning. This is distinct from inflection, which marks grammatical categories without changing the core meaning. Examples include forming happiness from happy via the suffix -ness, or deriving numerous related forms from a base word through prefixes and suffixes.

Beyond formal domains, derive can mean to obtain or deduce something from a source, or to originate a result from a given antecedent. The phrase “derived from” is commonly used to indicate a source, origin, or basis for a conclusion, material, or term.

Etymology: The word derive comes from Latin derivare, via Old French deriver, meaning to draw off or lead away, with senses extended to obtain, infer, or originate in English usage.