derivation

/ˌderɪˈveɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌderɪˈveɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌder-ə-ˈvā-shən ˌde-rə-/ (ame, mw)

derivation — noun

  • derivationsingular
  • derivationsplural

1. the earlier word, form, or source that something grows out of, or a fresh form m

1.名詞C1
釋義

the earlier word, form, or source that something grows out of, or a fresh form made from that base

例句

The lecturer explained the derivation of 'teacher' from an older verb.

the derivation of X from Y

Asher traced the derivation of his family name to northern Spain.

trace the derivation of

同義詞
  • etymology

    used more specifically for the history of a word

  • origin

    broader and used for the starting point of many kinds of things

  • derivative

    only names the new form produced, not the whole relationship

文法句型

the derivation of X from Y

a derivation from an earlier form

用法筆記

Common in linguistics and history, especially in patterns like the derivation of X from Y. Context shows whether it means the earlier source or the new form that comes from it.

常見錯誤

❌This word derivates from Latin.
✅This word is derived from Latin.
💡Use derived from for the verb or adjective pattern; derivation is the noun for the source relationship or new form.

2. the process of getting or making something by drawing it out of a particular sou

2.名詞C1
釋義

the process of getting or making something by drawing it out of a particular source

例句

The report describes the derivation of cooking oil from crushed seeds.

derivation of a product from a source

Bilal studied the derivation of the festival's income from ticket sales alone.

同義詞
  • extraction

    works best for removing a substance from a material

  • production

    broader and not always focused on the original source

  • obtaining

    more general and often less technical

文法句型

the derivation of X from Y

用法筆記

Usually formal and often followed by from to name the material, source, or stream of income. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about a proof rather than obtaining something from a source.

常見錯誤

❌The company's income derivation tickets.
✅The company's income is derived from ticket sales.
💡This meaning usually appears in the pattern derivation of X from Y, or with the verb derive from.

3. a set of logical or mathematical steps that shows why a result must be true

3.名詞C2
釋義

a set of logical or mathematical steps that shows why a result must be true

例句

The teacher checked each step in Aoi's derivation of the equation.

each step in a derivation

Students must show the full derivation, not just the final answer.

show the full derivation

同義詞
  • proof

    broader and often more formal in mathematics

  • deduction

    stresses the logical move from one idea to another

  • working

    more informal and common in school maths

文法句型

show the derivation

the derivation of an equation

用法筆記

Common in maths and logic classes. It usually refers to the written steps that lead to a result, not to the final result by itself.

常見錯誤

❌Show the answer derivation.
✅Show the derivation of the answer.
💡In maths, derivation normally takes an of-phrase because it names the chain of steps.