adj. & n.
--adj. derived from another source; not original (his music is derivative and uninteresting).
--n.
1. something derived from another source, esp.: a a word derived from another or from a root (e.g. quickly from quick). b Chem. a chemical compound that is derived from another.
2 Math. a quantity measuring the rate of change of another.
Derivatives:
derivatively adv.
Etymology: F d{eacute}rivatif -ive f. L derivativus (as DERIVE)