derivative

[ dih-riv-uh-tiv ]

/ dɪˈrɪv ə tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR derivative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

derived.

not original; secondary.

noun

something that has been derived.

Also called derived form. Grammar. a form that has undergone derivation from another, as atomic from atom.

Chemistry. a substance or compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another substance or compound.

Also called differential quotient; especially British, differential coefficient. 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.

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

Nearby words

derisive, derisory, deriv., derivate, derivation, derivative, derive, derived curve, derived form, derived fossil, derived unit

Origin of derivative

1400–50; late Middle English derivatif < Late Latin dērīvātīvus, equivalent to Latin dērīvāt(us) (see derivation) + -īvus -ive

Related forms

de·riv·a·tive·ly, adverbde·riv·a·tive·ness, nounnon·de·riv·a·tive, adjective, nounnon·de·riv·a·tive·ly, adverb

un·de·riv·a·tive, adjectiveun·de·riv·a·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for derivative

Of course these are derivative, too, almost as though Serra were his own pupil, or a forger of his own pieces.
Iron Man XVII|Blake Gopnik|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The new idea of making the said Dorito shell spicier and adding a splash of lime is derivative at best.
Is America Out of Ideas?|Daniel Gross|August 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Some of those owners are outside your country, so you don't even get derivative benefits.
Rogoff and Reinhart Respond|Megan McArdle|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Senate race, and why derivative swap trading is regulated by the House Agricultural committee.
Are You a Political Junkie? Then Watch This|Justin Green|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Entrant hereby waives any and all moral rights that exist in the Video Entry and any derivative works made therefrom.
OFFICIAL RULES OF THE IMAX® Award Contest—Deadline Extended||October 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is a derivative from the words Algonquin, and Akee, earth, or land.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
One could thus fully realise the fact that the moon's light is only derivative.
Volcanoes: Past and Present|Edward Hull
Many men require further special proofs of the derivative origin of organic forms.
Evolution|Joseph Le Conte
The Greek and Hebrew being original languages, can be acquired in much less time than the Latin, which is a derivative language.
Cotton is King and The Pro-Slavery Arguments|Various
The word "spirits" here designates a derivative of the outer air crudely mingled with the blood.
Harvey's Views on the Use of the Circulation of the Blood|John G. Curtis

British Dictionary definitions for derivative

derivative

/ (dɪˈrɪvətɪv) /

adjective

resulting from derivation; derived

based on or making use of other sources; not original or primary

copied from others, esp slavishly; plagiaristic

noun

a term, idea, etc, that is based on or derived from another in the same class

a word derived from another word

chem a compound that is formed from, or can be regarded as formed from, a structurally related compoundchloroform is a derivative of methane

maths

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 x n is nx n–1
the rate of change of one quantity with respect to anothervelocity is the derivative of distance with respect to time

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

psychoanal an activity that represents the expression of hidden impulses and desires by channelling them into socially acceptable forms

Derived Forms

derivatively, adverb

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

Medicine definitions for derivative

derivative

[ dĭ-rĭv′ə-tĭv ]

n.

Something obtained or produced by modification of something else.

A chemical compound that may be produced from another compound of similar structure in one or more steps.

adj.

Resulting from, characterized by, or employing derivation.

Science definitions for derivative

derivative

[ dĭ-rĭv′ə-tĭv ]

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.