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

derisively, 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 derivatives

“Junk,” we learn, refers to opium and its derivatives: morphine, heroin, pantopon, Dilaudid, codeine.
American Dreams, 1953: ‘Junky’ by William S. Burroughs|Nathaniel Rich|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The opaque and complex market of derivatives was the single most important destabilizer leading up to 2008.
The Roots of the Next Financial Crisis: How Wall Street Undermines Reform|Lawrence Lessig|June 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At every turn, he insisted on truly crazy ideas—like transparency about the derivatives traded, or trading on public exchanges.
The Roots of the Next Financial Crisis: How Wall Street Undermines Reform|Lawrence Lessig|June 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That then forms the basis of multiple lending contracts, from derivatives to mortgage rates.
Don’t Just Blame Banks for Barclays Interest-Rates Mess|Zachary Karabell|July 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

It reaffirms that derivatives are inherently risky, and even the best-run banks—and JPMorgan is one of them—cannot avoid the risk.
Barney Frank on JPMorgan’s Contradictions, Mitt Romney’s Mistakes|Eleanor Clift|May 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The derivatives of this word are translated with this meaning wherever they occur.
Bible Studies|Joseph M. Wheeler
Selenocarbamide and a number of its derivatives have been prepared and studied.
Synthesis of 2-methyl-4-selenoquinazolone, 2-phenylbenzoselenazole, and its derivatives|Y-Gwan Chen
Ordinary fats consist principally of derivatives of palmitic and stearic acids.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
Derivatives of the stem bear the additional ideas of staining and impurity.
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of the Twelve Prophets, Vol. I|George Adam Smith
No longer continuity, or perhaps continuity, but no derivatives, etc.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar

British Dictionary definitions for derivatives

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 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 derivatives

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 derivatives

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 derivatives

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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Nearby words

Origin of derivative

Examples from the Web for derivatives

British Dictionary definitions for derivatives

derivative

adjective

noun

Word Origin and History for derivatives

derivative

Medicine definitions for derivatives

derivative

n.

adj.

Science definitions for derivatives

derivative