derivation in WordNet English dictionary

1. inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline
   ancestry  lineage  derivation  filiation 
   
2. the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin
   derivation 
   
3. drawing off water from its main channel as for irrigation
   derivation 
   
4. drawing of fluid or inflammation away from a diseased part of the body
   derivation 
   
5. a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions
   derivation 
   
6. (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
   deriving  derivation  etymologizing 
   
7. the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues)
   "he prefers shoes of Italian derivation"; "music of Turkish derivation"
   derivation 
   
8. (descriptive linguistics) the process whereby new words are formed from existing words or bases by affixation
   "`singer' from `sing' or `undo' from `do' are examples of derivations"
   derivation