Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Originating from or based on something else: Describes something that is not original but is developed or produced from a pre-existing source.
   • Employing derivation: In linguistics, describes a word formed from another word or root.

2. Noun:

   • A word derived from another word: In linguistics, a word that is formed from another word through a process like adding a prefix or suffix.
   • A financial instrument: A security whose price is dependent upon or derived from the value of one or more underlying assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities.
   • A chemical compound: A substance that is obtained from or considered to be derived from another compound in a chemical process.
   • The result of mathematical differentiation: In calculus, a measure of how a function changes as its input changes; the instantaneous rate of change.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • His latest film was criticized for its highly derivative plot.
  • The architect's work is beautiful but somewhat derivative of classical styles.

• Noun:

  • (Linguistics) "Happiness" is a derivative of the word "happy".
  • (Finance) Options and futures are common types of financial derivatives.
  • (Chemistry) Aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid.
  • (Mathematics) The derivative of the function f(x) = x² is 2x.

Advanced Usage

• "derivative work": In copyright law, a work based upon one or more pre-existing works, such as a translation, adaptation, or sequel.
  • The film is considered a derivative work of the original novel.

Variants and Related Words

• Derivation (n): The process of forming a new word or concept from an existing one; the source or origin of something.
  • The derivation of the word "biology" is from the Greek words for "life" and "study".
• Derive (v): To obtain something from a specified source; to originate or come from.
  • Many English words derive from Latin.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Unoriginal, imitative, secondary, borrowed.
• Noun (Linguistics): Descendant, offshoot.
• Noun (General): By-product, spin-off, outgrowth.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Original, innovative, novel, primary.
• Noun: Source, origin, root.

Related Phrases

• "to be derivative of": To be copied from or heavily influenced by something else.
  • His musical style is clearly derivative of 1960s rock.

Adjective

1. resulting from or employing derivation
   • a derivative process
   • a highly derivative prose style

Noun

1. (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word
   • `electricity' is a derivative of `electric'
2. a financial instrument whose value is based on another security
3. a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
4. the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx