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Today we're checking out derive, a word I use a lot because I love to learn about words' derivations: how they originated, or where they came from. For example, you might see the "rive" in today's word and realize that derive and river are closely related: derive comes from (or derives from) a Latin phrase meaning "from a stream."
Speaking of rivers, see if you can recall these words, and explain how each figurative meaning (listed second) derived from the literal one (listed first):
Deb____: the shattering of ice in a river, or a sudden failure
Wel_______: the place where a river pops up from the ground, or an abundant source of something
make your point with...
"DERIVE"
"Derive" means "originate from" ("come from") and "obtain from" ("get from"). That is, one thing that derives from another thing comes from it. And to derive one thing from a second thing is to get the first thing from the second thing.
Pronunciation:
dih RIVE
Part of speech:
Verb.
It's both transitive (you derive something from something else)
and intransitive (something derives from something else).
Other forms:
derived, deriving, derivative (meaning "copied or borrowed from something that came before"), derivation(s)
How to use it:
For the first meaning, talk about how things derived from other things: how English words derived from Latin and Greek ones, how our habits and behaviors derive from our upbringing, how our traditions and holidays derive from our history, and so on.
For the second meaning, talk about deriving joy or pleasure or strength from something, deriving knowledge or wisdom from certain experiences, deriving an answer or a figure from some process or calculation, etc.
examples:
Jim Gaffigan pointed out the humor in our paying $50 for face cream derived from a 99-cent avocado.
As kids get older, they derive more happiness from giving than receiving.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "derive" means when you can explain it without saying "originate" or "obtain."
try it out:
Thinking of your own family or friends, what's an interesting tradition or inside joke that you all have? Where did it come from, or how did it start? Fill in the blanks: "(Our tradition or inside joke) derives from _____."
Example: "Our traditional Tex-Mex Christmas dinner derives from Chad's side of the family."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!"
This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.)
Ready? Go!
1. Words like "Hey!" and "Ouch!" that show emotion but don't have another grammatical purpose are called…
2. A decorative bed sheet placed under the mattress and extending to the floor is a…
3. Having too many fingers or toes is a condition called…
review today's word:
1. The opposite of DERIVED is
A. CALCULATED
B. REFINED
C. ORIGINAL
2. According to Leo Tolstoy, all literature derives _____.
A. for perfection or pure beauty
B. to explore the "many kinds of love" abundant in human nature
C. from two basic plots: someone goes on a journey, or someone new arrives
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. C
2. C
Answers to game questions:
1. interjections (or exclamations)
2. dust ruffle, bed skirt, valance, or petty skirt
3. polydactyly, polydactylism, or hyperdactyly
Today we're checking out derive, a word I use a lot because I love to learn about words' derivations: how they originated, or where they came from. For example, you might see the "rive" in today's word and realize that derive and river are closely related: derive comes from (or derives from) a Latin phrase meaning "from a stream."
"DERIVE" "Derive" means "originate from" ("come from") and "obtain from" ("get from"). That is, one thing that derives from another thing comes from it. And to derive one thing from a second thing is to get the first thing from the second thing. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Jim Gaffigan pointed out the humor in our paying $50 for face cream derived from a 99-cent avocado.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "derive" means when you can explain it without saying "originate" or "obtain."
Thinking of your own family or friends, what's an interesting tradition or inside joke that you all have? Where did it come from, or how did it start? Fill in the blanks: "(Our tradition or inside joke) derives from _____."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. The opposite of DERIVED is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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