| Noun | 1. | derivative instrument - 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 |