derivative

[ dih-riv-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. derived.
2. not original; secondary.

noun

1. something that has been derived.
2. Also called de·rived form [dih-, rahyvd, , fawrm]. Grammar. a form that has undergone derivation from another, as atomic from atom.
3. Chemistry. a substance or compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another substance or compound.
4. Also called dif·fer·en·tial quo·tient [dif, -, uh, -ren-sh, uh, l , kwoh, -sh, uh, nt];. Mathematics. the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function to the increment of a variable in it, as the latter tends to 0; the instantaneous change of one quantity with respect to another, as velocity, which is the instantaneous change of distance with respect to time. Compare first derivative, second derivative.
5. a financial contract whose value derives from the value of underlying stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, etc.

derivative

/ dɪˈrɪvətɪv /

adjective

1. resulting from derivation; derived
2. based on or making use of other sources; not original or primary
3. copied from others, esp slavishly; plagiaristic

noun

1. a term, idea, etc, that is based on or derived from another in the same class
2. a word derived from another word
3. chem a compound that is formed from, or can be regarded as formed from, a structurally related compound

   chloroform is a derivative of methane

4. maths
   1. Also calleddifferential coefficientfirst derivative the change of a function, f( x ), with respect to an infinitesimally small change in the independent variable, x ; the limit of [f( a + Δ x )–f( a )] / Δ x , at x = a , as the increment, Δ x , tends to 0. Symbols: df( x )/d x , f′( x ), Df( x )

      the derivative of xn is nxn–1

   2. the rate of change of one quantity with respect to another

      velocity is the derivative of distance with respect to time

5. finance a financial instrument, such as a futures contract or option, the price of which is largely determined by the commodity, currency, share price, interest rate, etc, to which it is linked
6. psychoanal an activity that represents the expression of hidden impulses and desires by channelling them into socially acceptable forms

derivative

/ dĭ-rĭv′ə-tĭv /

1. In calculus, the slope of the tangent line to a curve at a particular point on the curve. Since a curve represents a function, its derivative can also be thought of as the rate of change of the corresponding function at the given point. Derivatives are computed using differentiation.

Derived Forms

• deˈrivatively, adverb

Other Words From

• de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb
• de·riv·a·tive·ness noun
• non·de·riv·a·tive adjective noun
• non·de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb
• un·de·riv·a·tive adjective
• un·de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of derivative¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English derivatif, from Late Latin dērīvātīvus, equivalent to Latin dērīvāt(us) ( derivation ) + -īvus suffix; -ive

Example Sentences

These movies follow a number of those derivative action movie prescriptions.

From The Daily Beast

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the morphine derivative is the most addictive drug in its class.

From The Daily Beast

Of course these are derivative, too, almost as though Serra were his own pupil, or a forger of his own pieces.

From The Daily Beast

The new idea of making the said Dorito shell spicier and adding a splash of lime is derivative at best.

From The Daily Beast

Some of those owners are outside your country, so you don't even get derivative benefits.

From The Daily Beast

Those who hold that the species were the basis of the ancient Modes or harmoniai must regard the keys as derivative.

From Project Gutenberg

The derivative law in this case depends not solely on laws, but on a collocation; and collocations cannot be reduced to any law.

From Project Gutenberg

In the example in question, we know the causes on which the derivative uniformity depends.

From Project Gutenberg

Some are ultimate properties, others derivative; of some, no cause can be assigned, but others are manifestly dependent on causes.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a derivative word, from Algonkin, and gan the penultimate syllable of the Odjibwa term Sa-g--gan, a lake.

From Project Gutenberg