| Noun | 1. | derivation - the source from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues); "he prefers shoes of Italian derivation"origin, source, root, rootage, beginning - the place where something begins, where it springs into being; "the Italian beginning of the Renaissance"; "Jupiter was the origin of the radiation"; "Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River"; "communism's Russian root" | |
| 2. | derivation - (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phraseexplanation, account - a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account" | |
| 3. | derivation - a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositionsillation, inference - the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation | |
| 4. | derivation - (descriptive linguistics) the process whereby new words are formed from existing words or bases by affixation: `singer' from `sing'; `undo' from `do' | |
| 5. | derivation - inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline | |
| 6. | derivation - drawing of fluid or inflammation away from a diseased part of the bodydrawing off, drawing - act of getting or draining something such as electricity or a liquid from a source; "the drawing of water from the well" | |
| 7. | derivation - drawing off water from its main channel as for irrigationdrawing off, drawing - act of getting or draining something such as electricity or a liquid from a source; "the drawing of water from the well" | |