deduce

[ dih-doos, -dyoos ]
See synonyms for: deducededuceddeducing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),de·duced, de·duc·ing.
  1. to derive as a conclusion from something known or assumed; infer: From the evidence the detective deduced that the gardener had done it.

  2. to trace the derivation of; trace the course of: to deduce one's lineage.

Origin of deduce

1
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēdūcere “to lead down, derive,” from dē- de- + dūcere “to lead”

Other words for deduce

Other words from deduce

  • de·duc·i·ble, adjective
  • de·duc·i·bil·i·ty, de·duc·i·ble·ness, noun
  • de·duc·i·bly, adverb
  • non·de·duc·i·ble, adjective
  • sub·de·duc·i·ble, adjective
  • un·de·duced, adjective
  • un·de·duc·i·ble, adjective

Words that may be confused with deduce

Words Nearby deduce

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use deduce in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deduce

deduce

/ (dɪˈdjuːs) /


verb(tr)
  1. (may take a clause as object) to reach (a conclusion about something) by reasoning; conclude (that); infer

  2. archaic to trace the origin, course, or derivation of

Origin of deduce

1
C15: from Latin dēdūcere to lead away, derive, from de- + dūcere to lead

Derived forms of deduce

  • deducible, adjective
  • deducibility or deducibleness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012