/ dɪˈrɪvətɪv; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
a word or thing that has been developed or produced from another word or thing :
'Happiness' is a derivative of 'happy'.
Crack is a highly potent and addictive derivative of cocaine.
■ adjective
(usually disapproving ) copied from sth else; not having new or original ideas :
a derivative design / style
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the adjective sense having the power to draw off , and in the noun sense a word derived from another ): from French dérivatif , -ive , from Latin derivativus , from derivare , from de- down, away + rivus brook, stream.