derivation meaning and definition

DERIVATION noun

Definition of derivation (noun)

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
   • synonyms: deriving, 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
   • synonyms: ancestry, filiation, lineage
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