derivation Hear it!

derivation definition

deri·va·tion (der′ə vā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a deriving or being derived
  2. descent or origination
  3. something derived; a derivative
  4. the source or origin of something
  5. the origin and development of a word; etymology
    1. Gram. the process of forming words from bases by the addition of affixes other than inflectional morphemes, or by internal phonetic change the derivation of “warmth” from “warm”
    2. Linguis. in generative grammar, the process of forming sentences

Etymology: ME derivacioun < L derivatio < pp. of derivare: see derive

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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