derivation
UK: ˌdɛrɪˈveɪʃən | US: ˌdɛrəˈveɪʃən
n. the act or process of deriving something from a source
n. the origin or development of something, especially a word
n. (linguistics) the formation of a word from another word or base
The word "derivation" traces back to Latin derivare ("to draw off, divert"), combining de- (indicating "down" or "from") and rivus ("stream"). The metaphor suggests "drawing from a source," much like diverting water from a stream. Over time, it evolved to describe abstract origins, such as word formation or logical reasoning. The suffix -ation nominalizes the action, solidifying its modern meanings.
The derivation of the word "quarantine" comes from the Italian quarantena.
Linguists study the derivation of terms to understand language evolution.
The derivation of his theory was unclear, leaving room for debate.
She explained the derivation of the chemical compound step by step.
The river's derivation from mountain springs ensures its purity.