Dictionary > English Dictionary > Definition, synonym and antonym of derivative
Meaning of derivative by Wiktionary Dictionary

# derivative

### Etymology

Middle English, from French dérivatif and Latin derivatus; see derive .

### Pronunciation

• ( UK ) IPA: /dɪˈɹɪvətɪv/

derivative ( comparative more derivative, superlative most derivative )

1. Imitative of the work of someone else .
2. ( law, copyright law ) Referring to a work, such as a translation or adaptation, based on another work that may be subject to copyright restrictions .
3. ( finance ) Having a value that depends on an underlying asset of variable value .
4. Lacking originality .

### Noun

derivative ( plural: derivatives )

1. Something derived .
2. ( linguistics ) A word that derives from another one .
3. ( finance ) A financial instrument whose value depends on the valuation of an underlying asset; such as a warrant, an option etc .
4. ( chemistry ) A chemical derived from another .
5. ( calculus ) The derived function of a function .
The derivative of $f:f( x ) = x^2" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wiktionary/en/math/9/c/5/9c53c8758a3413038f6c4ae4939fd0b6.png" > is $f':f'( x ) = 2x" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wiktionary/en/math/1/a/1/1a1abf41270d292426ffc3a12bbcf9e3.png" >
6. ( calculus ) The value of this function for a given value of its independent variable .
The derivative of $f( x ) = x^2" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wiktionary/en/math/9/b/a/9ba07c50b2f5b24031759bb9918c4ed3.png" > at x = 3 is $f'( 3 ) = 2 * 3 = 6$ .

### Antonyms

#### Hyponyms

Explanation of derivative by Wordnet Dictionary

# derivative

1. a derivative process
a highly derivative prose style
Noun
1. `electricity' is a derivative of `electric'
2. a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound

Definition of derivative by GCIDE Dictionary

# derivative

1. Derivative a. [L. derivativus: cf. F. dérivatif.] Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical, original, or fundamental; originating, deduced, or formed from something else; secondary; as, “a derivative conveyance; a derivative word.”

2. Hence, unoriginal ( said of art or other intellectual products.

Derivative circulation, a modification of the circulation found in some parts of the body, in which the arteries empty directly into the veins without the interposition of capillaries. Flint.

-- Derivatively, adv. -- Derivativeness, n.

2. Derivative, n.
1. That which is derived; anything obtained or deduced from another.

2. ( Gram. ) A word formed from another word, by a prefix or suffix, an internal modification, or some other change; a word which takes its origin from a root.

3. ( Mus. ) A chord, not fundamental, but obtained from another by inversion; or, vice versa, a ground tone or root implied in its harmonics in an actual chord.

4. ( Med. ) An agent which is adapted to produce a derivation ( in the medical sense ).

5. ( Math. ) A derived function; a function obtained from a given function by a certain algebraic process.

☞ Except in the mode of derivation the derivative is the same as the differential coefficient. See Differential coefficient, under Differential.

6. ( Chem. ) A substance so related to another substance by modification or partial substitution as to be regarded as derived from it; “derivatives of ammonia, and the hydrocarbons are derivatives of methane, benzene, etc.”