derivative

American  

[dih-riv-uh-tiv] / dɪˈrɪv ə tɪv /

Sometimes derivate

adjective

1. derived.

2. not original; secondary.

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noun

1. something that has been derived.

2. Also called derived form.  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. especially British, differential coefficient.  Also called differential quotient.  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.

5. a financial contract whose value derives from the value of underlying stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, etc.

derivative British  

/ 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

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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 called: differential coefficient.   first 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 Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• derivatively adverb
• derivativeness noun
• nonderivative adjective
• nonderivatively adverb
• underivative adjective
• underivatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of derivative

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

Example Sentences

Wall Street has sought to capitalize on crypto’s popularity by launching a growing array of exchange-traded funds and derivatives linked to bitcoin and other popular tokens.

From The Wall Street Journal

The construct of volatility derivatives has remained bullish, even with VIX rising.

From MarketWatch

CME Group, the leading operator of derivatives exchanges, also raised margin requirements for precious-metal futures, increasing the cost of holding positions.

From The Wall Street Journal

“This suggests that the current price decline is likely being driven either by actions from major exchanges and derivatives platforms or by a lack of demand, rather than by panic selling from long-term investors.”

From MarketWatch

Much like prediction-market contracts, these derivatives either pay a set cash settlement or nothing at all.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• by-product