derivative

[dih-riv-uh-tiv] /dɪˈrɪv ə tɪv/
adjective
1.
derived.
2.
not original; secondary.
noun
3.
something derived.
4.
Also called derived form. Grammar. a form that has undergone derivation from another, as atomic from atom.
5.
Chemistry. a substance or compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another substance or compound.
6.
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.
7.
a financial contract whose value derives from the value of underlying stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, etc.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English derivatif < Late Latin dērīvātīvus, equivalent to Latin dērīvāt(us) (see derivation) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
derivatively, adverb
derivativeness, noun
nonderivative, adjective, noun
nonderivatively, adverb
underivative, adjective
underivatively, adverb
Examples from the web for derivative
  • The second derivative, they say, is turning positive.
  • It does not have to be a replica, it's called a derivative.
  • Someone might criticize that - say that it's derivative.
  • It now also applies to almost all media, not just printed matter, and to derivative works.
  • Enter thymol, a thyme-oil derivative that blocks elastase production.
  • So the shortage of child-care is a secondary and derivative problem.
  • If music must be derivative, then this is the way to go.
  • There's an argument that it is an unauthorized copy or derivative work.
  • I've always found them slightly derivative and not very challenging.
  • This latest exploration just feels derivative and musty.
British Dictionary definitions for derivative

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
4.
a term, idea, etc, that is based on or derived from another in the same class
5.
a word derived from another word
6.
(chem) a compound that is formed from, or can be regarded as formed from, a structurally related compound: chloroform is a derivative of methane
7.
(maths)
  1. 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 + Δx)–f(a)]/Δx, at x = a, as the increment, Δx, tends to 0. Symbols: df(x)/dx, 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
8.
(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
9.
(psychoanal) an activity that represents the expression of hidden impulses and desires by channelling them into socially acceptable forms
Derived Forms
derivatively, adverb
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.

derivative in Medicine

derivative de·riv·a·tive (dĭ-rĭv'ə-tĭv)
n.

  1. Something obtained or produced by modification of something else.

  2. 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.
derivative in Science
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.