derivative
nounDefinition of derivative
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
linguistics
: a word formed from another word or base : a word formed by derivation
"pointy," "pointed," and other derivatives of "point"
2
: something derived
⊠the sonata form (itself a derivative of opera) ⊗ Kingsley Martin the name "Mia" is a derivative of "Maria"
3
mathematics
: the limit of the ratio of the change in a function to the corresponding change in its independent variable as the latter change approaches zero
4 chemistry
a
: a chemical substance related structurally to another substance and theoretically derivable from it
b
: a substance that can be made from another substance
Petroleum is a derivative of coal tar. soybean derivatives
5
: a contract or security (see security sense 3) that derives its value from that of an underlying asset (such as another security) or from the value of a rate (as of interest or currency exchange) or index (see index entry 1 sense 1b) of asset value (such as a stock index)
derivative
adjectiveDefinition of derivative (Entry 2 of 2)
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