[de.riv.a.tive] n (15c) 1: a word formed by derivation
2: something derived
3: 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. a: a chemical substance related structurally to another substance and theoretically derivable from it b: a substance that can be made from another substance
[2]derivative adj (ca. 1530) 1: formed by derivation
2: made up of or marked by derived elements
3: lacking originality: banal -- de.riv.a.tive.ly adv -- de.riv.a.tive.ness n