I. də̇ˈrivəd.]iv, dēˈ-, -vət] adjective
Etymology: Late Latin derivativus, from Latin derivatus + -ivus -ive
1. linguistics : formed by derivation
2. : made up of or marked by elements or qualities derived from something else (as from an ultimate source) : arising from, obtained by, used in, or consisting of derivation : lacking originality
derivative ecclesiastical structures with which the landscape … was dotted in a time when people did not know how to build — G.N.Shuster
derivative presentation of already available data rather than an original contribution — English Language Teaching
artists who spend most of their time with other artists … their work thins out, becomes derivative , lacks the individual contour — Sidney Alexander
3. : secondary , derivational
not only in their direct success but in the derivative benefits that would flow from them — Elmer Davis
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a word formed by derivation
2. : something that derives from, grows out of, or results from an earlier or fundamental state or condition
the sonata form (itself a derivative of opera) — Kingsley Martin
nostalgia is a fine derivative from any book — Lewis Nichols
3. : derivative of a function
4.
a. : a chemical substance that is so related structurally to another substance as to be theoretically derivable from it even when not so obtainable in practice
the methoxy derivative of naphthalene
b. : a substance that can be made from another substance in one or more steps
nitration of benzene to the meta -dinitro derivative
5. : one that holds derivative citizenship
III. noun
: 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)