derivative

[ dih-riv-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. derived.
2. not original; secondary.

noun

1. something that has been derived.
2. Also called de·rived form [dih-, rahyvd, , fawrm]. 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. Also called dif·fer·en·tial quo·tient [dif, -, uh, -ren-sh, uh, l , kwoh, -sh, uh, nt];. 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.
5. a financial contract whose value derives from the value of underlying stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, etc.

derivative

/ 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

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 calleddifferential coefficientfirst 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

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• deˈrivatively, adverb

Other Words From

• de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb
• de·riv·a·tive·ness noun
• non·de·riv·a·tive adjective noun
• non·de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb
• un·de·riv·a·tive adjective
• un·de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of derivative¹

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

Example Sentences

In contrast, when dissolved in chloroform, both the chlorophyll derivatives formed rosette patterns.

From Science Daily

The funny thing is that the designs Mr. Reed has in mind for these ladies are as derivative and unoriginal as his monologues, and that’s kind of the point.

From Los Angeles Times

But the claim was met with scepticism online, with some suggesting his own film is derivative.

From BBC

But good intentions can’t hide the derivative nature of the project.

From Los Angeles Times

The claims made by Proyas have been met with scepticism online, however, with some claiming his own film is derivative.

From BBC