Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
904,822,409 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

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.

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

derivative
Adjective
based on other sources; not original
Noun
1. a word, idea, etc., that is derived from another
2. Maths the rate of change of one quantity with respect to another

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
adjective 1. unoriginal, copied, second-hand, rehashed, imitative, plagiarized, uninventive, plagiaristic << OPPOSITE original
Translations
Spanish derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv] nderivado
adj [work] → poco original

French derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv] ndérivé m
adjdérivé(e)

German derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv] derivation n (Ling) → Ableitung f;
(Chem) → Derivat nt
adjnachahmend

Italian derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv] nderivato
adjderivato/a

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? 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.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.