1. Derived from, based on or imitating something else
   "a derivative process"; "a highly derivative prose style"

1. (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word
   "‘electricity’ is a derivative of ‘electric’"
    
2. The result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
   "The derivative of x² is 2x"; "The first derivative of x² is 2x";
   - derived function, differential coefficient, differential, first derivative
    
3. A compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
   "Aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid"
    
4. (finance) a security whose price depends on one or more underlying assets
   "Options and futures are common types of derivative instruments";
   - derivative instrument

Derived forms: derivatives

See also: derived

Type of: calculation, chemical compound, compound, computation, figuring, instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document, reckoning, word

Encyclopedia: Derivative