| derivation | 1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source. 2. The act of receiving anything from a source; the act of procuring an effect from a cause, means, or condition, as profits from capital, conclusions or opinions from evidence. "As touching traditional communication, . . . I do not doubt but many of those truths have had the help of that derivation." (Sir M. Hale) 3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in grammar or genealogy; as, the derivation of a word from an Aryan root. 4. The state or method of being derived; the relation of origin when established or asserted. 5. That from which a thing is derived. 6. That which is derived; a derivative; a deduction. "From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of that river." (Gibbon) 7. <mathematics> The operation of deducing one function from another according to some fixed law, called the law of derivation, as the of differentiation or of integration. 8. <medicine> A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process. Origin: L. Derivatio: cf. F. Derivation. See Derive. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| derivative | A chemical substance derived from another substance either directly or by modification or partial substitution. (18 Nov 1997) |
| derivative chromosome | An anomalous chromosome generated by translocation. Synonym: translocation chromosome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| derive | 1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and distribute into subordinate channels; to diffuse; to communicate; to transmit; followed by to, into, on, upon. "For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . They [the workman] derive it by other drains." (Holland) "Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share." (Spenser) "Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah." (Jer. Taylor) 2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; followed by from. 3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from the Anglo-Saxon. "From these two causes . . . An ancient set of physicians derived all diseases." (Arbuthnot) 4. <chemistry> To obtain one substance from another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid from its corresponding hydrocarbon. Synonym: To trace, deduce, infer. Origin: F. Deriver, L. Derivare; de- + rivus stream, brook. See Rival. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| derived protein | A derivative of protein effected by chemical change, e.g., hydrolysis. (05 Mar 2000) |