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derivative

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
de·riv·a·tive  (d-rv-tv)
adj.
1. Resulting from or employing derivation: a derivative word; a derivative process.
2. Copied or adapted from others: a highly derivative prose style.
n.
1. Something derived.
2. Linguistics A word formed from another by derivation, such as electricity from electric.
3. Mathematics
a. The limiting value of the ratio of the change in a function to the corresponding change in its independent variable.
b. The instantaneous rate of change of a function with respect to its variable.
c. The slope of the tangent line to the graph of a function at a given point. Also called differential coefficient, fluxion.
4. Chemistry A compound derived or obtained from another and containing essential elements of the parent substance.
5. Business An investment that derives its value from another more fundamental investment, as a commitment to buy a bond for a certain sum on a certain date.

de·riva·tive·ly adv.
de·riva·tive·ness n.

derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
adj
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
n
1. a term, idea, etc., that is based on or derived from another in the same class
2. (Linguistics) a word derived from another word
3. (Chemistry) 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. (Mathematics) Maths
a.  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
b.  the rate of change of one quantity with respect to another velocity is the derivative of distance with respect to time
5. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) 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. (Psychoanalysis) Psychoanal an activity that represents the expression of hidden impulses and desires by channelling them into socially acceptable forms
derivatively  adv

derivative  (d-rv-tv)
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.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.derivative - the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
curvature - the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
figuring, reckoning, calculation, computation - problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
partial, partial derivative - the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant
2.derivative - a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
chemical compound, compound - (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
3.derivative - a financial instrument whose value is based on another security
legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument - (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
futures contract - an agreement to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity or financial instrument at a particular price on a stipulated future date; the contract can be sold before the settlement date
law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
option - the right to buy or sell property at an agreed price; the right is purchased and if it is not exercised by a stated date the money is forfeited
4.derivative - (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word; "`electricity' is a derivative of `electric'"
linguistics - the scientific study of language
word - a unit of language that native speakers can identify; "words are the blocks from which sentences are made"; "he hardly said ten words all morning"
Adj.1.derivative - resulting from or employing derivation; "a derivative process"; "a highly derivative prose style"
derived - formed or developed from something else; not original; "the belief that classes and organizations are secondary and derived"- John Dewey

derivative
noun
by-product, spin-off, offshoot, descendant, derivation, outgrowth a poppy-seed derivative similar to heroin
adjective
unoriginal, copied, second-hand, rehashed, imitative, plagiarized, uninventive, plagiaristic their dull, derivative debut album
unoriginal original, first-hand, archetypal, seminal, prototypical
Translations
derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
A. ADJ (Chem, Ling) → derivado; (= unoriginal) [literary work, style] → poco original
B. N (Chem, Ling, Fin) → derivado m
derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
n
(= thing derived from another) → dérivé m
a derivative of → un dérivé de
(FINANCE) (= financial instrument) → produit m dérivé
adj (= unoriginal) → peu original(e)
derivative
adjabgeleitet; (Ling, Chem) → abgeleitet, derivativ; (fig) style, composition, literary work etcnachgeahmt, imitiert; derivative markets (Fin) → Markt mfür Derivate; derivative products (Fin) → Derivate pl
n
Ableitung f; (Ling also, Chem) → Derivat nt
(Fin) → Derivat nt
derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
1. adj (pej) (literary work, style) → poco originale
2. n (Chem, Ling) → derivato (Math) → derivata

derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
1. adj (pej) (literary work, style) → poco originale
2. n (Chem, Ling) → derivato (Math) → derivata


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
There are some cases, however, in which, as the quality under consideration has no name, it is impossible that those possessed of it should have a name that is derivative.
"The Idiots" is such an obviously derivative piece of work that it is impossible for me to say anything about it here.
To follow that way is an initiation, by which they will become able to distinguish, in art, speech, feeling, manners, in men and life generally, what is genuine, animated, and expressive from what is only conventional and derivative, and therefore inexpressive.
 
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