De*rive" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Derived (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deriving.] [F. dériver, L. derivare;
de- + rivus stream, brook. See Rival.]
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. [Obs.]
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. (Chem.) To obtain one substance
from another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to
derive an organic acid from its corresponding
hydrocarbon.
Syn. -- To trace; deduce; infer.
De*rive" (?), v. i. To flow; to
have origin; to descend; to proceed; to be deduced.
Shak.
Power from heaven
Derives, and monarchs rule by gods appointed.
Prior.
