# Can the word “derive” be used to mean “take the derivative of”?

Back when I was in high school, the usage of the word "derive" to mean "take the derivative of" was really widespread. It always bothered me because I felt that the proper verb should be "differentiate." I wondering if this use of "derive" is acceptable or not. Has anyone else heard the word "derive" used in this way?

• Not from mathematicians. If I heard someone say "derive" in this sense I would understand what they meant, but assume they were a non-native speaker or a beginning student. – user7530 Nov 9 '11 at 13:28
• I tend to hear it from non-native speakers of English (along with things such as "derivate"); of course, I very much prefer "differentiate", even if it's longer... – J. M. isn't a mathematician Nov 9 '11 at 13:37
• But "derived function" is the result of this "differentiation". youtube.com/watch?v=N-Hqdyd97Qg&hd=1 – GEdgar Nov 9 '11 at 14:03
• Without this use of "derive" we wouldn't be able to say the joke "Don't drink and derive". "Don't drink and take derivatives" just doesn't work. – Joe Johnson 126 Nov 9 '11 at 14:09
• I heard it for the very first time on MSE itself. – Koro Nov 15 '15 at 0:04

"Differentiate", on the other hand, can be used directly with its object: "let's differentiate $f$" and so on.