[der.i.va.tion] n (15c) 1 a (1): the formation of a word from another word or base (as by the addition of a usu. noninflectional affix) (2): an act of ascertaining or stating the derivation of a word (3): etymology 1 b: the relation of a word to its base
2. a: source, origin b: descent, origination
3: something derived: derivative
4: an act or process of deriving
5: a sequence of statements (as in logic or mathematics) showing that a result is a necessary consequence of previously accepted statements -- der.i.va.tion.al adj