derivative

[dih-riv-uh-tiv]

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.

Origin of derivative

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

Related formsde·riv·a·tive·ly, adverbde·riv·a·tive·ness, nounnon·de·riv·a·tive, adjective, nounnon·de·riv·a·tive·ly, adverbun·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

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of derivative

Marriage for money is the modern form or derivative of marriage by purchase.
The Sexual Question
August Forel
The use of a Greek derivative gives notice that you are scientific.
The Book-Hunter
John Hill Burton
Thus the tetracetate is a derivative to be reckoned with in the problem.
Researches on Cellulose
C. F. Cross
And this is equivalent to admitting the doctrine of "derivative creation."
On the Genesis of Species
St. George Mivart
The English language has no derivative noun from "mores," and no equivalent for it.
Folkways
William Graham Sumner

British Dictionary definitions for derivative

derivative

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 derivativethe 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 Formsderivatively, 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

Word Origin and History for derivative

early 15c. (adj.); mid-15c. (n.), from Middle French dérivatif (15c.), from Late Latin derivat-, past participle stem of Latin derivare (see derive). Mathematical sense is from 1670s.

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.

derivative

adjective

noun

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Origin of derivative

Examples from the Web for derivative

Contemporary Examples of derivative

Historical Examples of derivative

derivative

adjective

noun

derivative

n.

adj.

derivative