n. [ L. derivatio: cf. F. dérivation. See Derive. ] 1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source. [ Obs. ] T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

As touching traditional communication, . . . I do not doubt but many of those truths have had the help of that derivation. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in grammar or genealogy; as, the derivation of a word from an Aryan root. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The state or method of being derived; the relation of origin when established or asserted. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. That from which a thing is derived. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. That which is derived; a derivative; a deduction. [ 1913 Webster ]

From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of that river. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Math.) The operation of deducing one function from another according to some fixed law, called the law of derivation, as the operation of differentiation or of integration. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. The formation of a word from its more original or radical elements; also, a statement of the origin and history of a word. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Relating to derivation. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]