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derivative
[ dih-riv-uh-tiv ]
/ dɪˈrɪv ə tɪv /
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adjective
not original; secondary.
noun
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Sometimes der·i·vate [der-uh-veyt] /ˈdɛr əˌveɪt/ .
Origin of derivative
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English derivatif, from Late Latin dērīvātīvus, equivalent to Latin dērīvāt(us) (see derivation) + -īvus suffix; see -ive
OTHER WORDS FROM derivative
Words nearby derivative
derision, derisive, derisory, deriv., derivation, derivative, derive, derived, derived curve, derived fossil, derived unit
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use derivative in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for derivative
derivative
/ (dɪˈrɪvətɪv) /
adjective
noun
Derived forms of derivative
derivatively, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical 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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.