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1 ADJ If you describe something such as an amount of money as derisory , you are emphasizing that it is so small or inadequate that it seems silly or not worth considering. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  She was being paid what I considered a derisory amount of money.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Derisory means the same as derisive . □  …derisory remarks about the police.

deri|va|tion /de r I ve I ʃ ^ə n/ (derivations ) N‑VAR The derivation of something, especially a word, is its origin or source. □ [+ of ] The derivation of its name is obscure.

de|riva|tive /d I r I vət I v/ (derivatives )

1 N‑COUNT A derivative is something which has been developed or obtained from something else. □  …a poppy-seed derivative similar to heroin.

2 ADJ If you say that something is derivative , you are criticizing it because it is not new or original but has been developed from something else. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  …their dull, derivative debut album.

de|rive /d I ra I v/ (derives , deriving , derived )

1 VERB If you derive something such as pleasure or benefit from a person or from something, you get it from them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + from ] Mr Ying is one of those happy people who derive pleasure from helping others.

2 VERB If you say that something such as a word or feeling derives or is derived from something else, you mean that it comes from that thing. □ [be V -ed + from ] Anna's strength is derived from her parents and her sisters. □ [V + from ] The word Easter derives from Eostre, the pagan goddess of spring. [Also V n from n]

der|ma|ti|tis /dɜː ^r məta I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Dermatitis is a medical condition which makes your skin red and painful.

der|ma|tolo|gist /dɜː ^r mətɔ lədʒ I st/ (dermatologists ) N‑COUNT A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the study of skin and the treatment of skin diseases. ●  der|ma|tol|ogy N‑UNCOUNT □  …drugs used in dermatology.

de|roga|tory /d I rɒ gətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you make a derogatory remark or comment about someone or something, you express your low opinion of them. □  He refused to withdraw derogatory remarks made about his boss.

der|rick /de r I k/ (derricks )

1 N‑COUNT A derrick is a machine that is used to move cargo on a ship by lifting it in the air.

2 N‑COUNT A derrick is a tower built over an oil well which is used to raise and lower the drill.

derring-do /de r I ŋ duː / N‑UNCOUNT Derring-do is the quality of being bold, often in a rather showy or foolish way. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

der|vish /dɜː ^r v I ʃ/ (dervishes )

1 N‑COUNT A dervish is a member of a Muslim religious group which has a very active and lively dance as part of its worship.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone is like a dervish , you mean that they are turning round and round, waving their arms about, or working very quickly. □  Brian was whirling like a dervish, slapping at the mosquitoes and moaning.

de|sali|na|tion /diː sæl I ne I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Desalination is the process of removing salt from sea water so that it can be used for drinking, or for watering crops.

des|cant /de skænt/ (descants ) N‑COUNT A descant is a tune which is played or sung above the main tune in a piece of music.

de|scend /d I se nd/ (descends , descending , descended )

1 VERB If you descend or if you descend a staircase, you move downwards from a higher to a lower level. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep] Things are cooler and more damp as we descend to the cellar. □ [V n] She descended one flight of stairs. [Also V ]

2 VERB When a mood or atmosphere descends on a place or on the people there, it affects them by spreading among them. [LITERARY ] □ [V + on/upon/over ] An uneasy calm descended on the area. [Also V ]