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- pronunciation:
- d
raIv
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
derives, deriving, derived |
| definition 1: |
We often use the word "derive" when we talk about the original source of something. For example, people derive the spice cinnamon from the bark of a certain tree in Asia. That means that the bark of this tree is the original place where people get cinnamon. Of course, you can get cinnamon from your kitchen cupboard or from the grocery store, but it is actually derived from a cinnamon tree.
Many medicines have ingredients that scientists have derived from plants.- similar words:
- acquire, gain, gather, get, harvest, obtain, secure
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| definition 2: |
If we say that something derives from some other thing or from a particular place, we mean that it comes from that thing or place. That thing or place is its source.
Many English words derive from French. That's because a powerful French duke became King of England in 1066. He and his courtiers spoke French and introduced many new words into English.Vanilla is a popular flavoring for ice cream, but did you know that vanilla derives from the fruit of a tropical plant?- synonyms:
- spring, stem
- similar words:
- descend, flow, issue, proceed
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| related words: |
stem |
| derivation: |
derivable (adj.) |
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