Der`i*va"tion (?), n. [L. derivatio: cf. F. dérivation. See Derive.]
1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source. [Obs.] T. Burnet. 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. (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. 8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process. © Webster 1913
Der`iva"tion, n. 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
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