DERIVATIVE


Meaning of DERIVATIVE in English

/ 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

••

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.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.