'cell-derived' is a compound formed in modern English from the noun 'cell' and the past-participle adjective 'derived'. 'cell' ultimately comes from Latin 'cella' meaning 'small room' (via Old French and Middle English), and 'derive' comes from Latin 'derivare' where 'de-' meant 'from' and 'rivus' meant 'stream'.

The noun 'cell' entered English via Old French/Middle English from Latin 'cella'. The verb 'derive' comes from Latin 'derivare' (to draw off a stream), passed through Old French/Medieval Latin and entered English as 'derive' with the past participle 'derived'. The modern compound 'cell-derived' formed by combining these elements in contemporary scientific English to mean 'originating from cells'.

Originally, 'derive' had a concrete sense of 'to lead or draw off (a stream)'; over time it shifted to the abstract meaning 'to obtain or trace from a source'. In 'cell-derived' that evolved sense is used: 'obtained from a cellular source'.