Derive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DERIVED; p. pr. & vb. n. DERIVING.] [Fr. dériver, Pr. derivar, deribar, Sp. & Pg. derivar, It. derivare, dirivare, Lat. derivare, from de and rivus, stream, brook.]

1Sense 1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and distribute into subordinate channels; hence, to diffuse; to communicate; to transmit;—followed by to, into, on, upon. [Obs.] “The solemn and right manner of deriving the water.” Holland.

I question whether it be lawful for a Christian army to derive their right of fighting God's battles to any single man. Fuller.

This is derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah. Taylor.

2Sense 2. To receive, as from a source; to obtain by transmission; to draw; to deduce;—followed by from.

3Sense 3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from the Latin.

From these two causes ... an ancient set of physicians derived all diseases. Arbuthnot.

Synonyms—To trace; deduce; infer.

To flow; to have origin; to proceed; to be deduced.

Power from heaven derives. Prior.