DERIVATIVE


Meaning of DERIVATIVE in English

I. di-ˈri-və-tiv noun

Date: 15th century

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

5. : a contract or security that derives its value from that of an underlying asset (as another security) or from the value of a rate (as of interest or currency exchange) or index of asset value (as a stock index)

II. adjective

Date: circa 1530

1. : formed by derivation

a derivative word

2. : made up of or marked by derived elements

3. : lacking originality : banal

• de·riv·a·tive·ly adverb

• de·riv·a·tive·ness noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.