Define vs. Derive — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Define and Derive
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Compare with Definitions
Define
State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
The contract will seek to define the client's obligations
Derive
To obtain or receive from a source
A dance that is derived from the samba.
Confidence that is derived from years of experience.
Define
Mark out the boundary or limits of
The river defines the park's boundary
Derive
(Chemistry) To produce or obtain (a compound) from another substance by chemical reaction.
Define
To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
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Derive
To trace the origin or development of (a word).
Define
To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.
Derive
To generate (a linguistic structure) from another structure or set of structures.
Define
To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
Derive
To arrive at by reasoning; deduce or infer
Derive a conclusion from facts.
Define
To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
Derive
To be derived from a source; originate. ]
Define
To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).
Derive
(transitive) To obtain or receive (something) from something else.
Define
To make or write a definition.
Derive
To deduce (a conclusion) by reasoning.
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument
Derive
To find the derivation of (a word or phrase).
Define
(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.
Derive
To create (a compound) from another by means of a reaction.
Define
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.
Derive
(intransitive) To originate or stem (from).
Her excellent organisation skills derive from her time as a secretary in the army
Define
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
Derive
To turn the course of (water, etc.); to divert and distribute into subordinate channels.
Define
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Derive
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.
For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . they [the workman] derive it by other drains.
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share.
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah.
Define
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property
Derive
To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; - followed by from.
Define
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
Derive
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.
Define
(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
Derive
To obtain one substance from another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid from its corresponding hydrocarbon.
Define
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
Derive
To flow; to have origin; to descend; to proceed; to be deduced.
Power from heavenDerives, and monarchs rule by gods appointed.
Define
To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
Derive
Reason by deduction; establish by deduction
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.
Derive
Obtain;
Derive pleasure from one's garden
Define
To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.
Derive
Come from;
The present name derives from an older form
Define
To determine; to decide.
Derive
Develop or evolve, especially from a latent or potential state
Define
Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'
Derive
Come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example;
She was descended from an old Italian noble family
He comes from humble origins
Define
Determine the essential quality of
Define
Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?
Define
Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object
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