/ ˌderɪˈveɪʃn; NAmE / noun
[ U , C ] the origin or development of sth, especially a word :
a word of Greek derivation
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting the drawing of a fluid, especially pus or blood; also in the sense formation of a word from another word ): from Latin derivatio(n-) , from the verb derivare , from de- down, away + rivus brook, stream.