Definition of "derivative" in English

adjective

1. Obtained by derivation; not radical, original, or fundamental.

   • a derivative conveyance
   • a derivative word

2. Imitative of the work of someone else.

3. (law, copyright law) Referring to a work, such as a translation or adaptation, based on another work that may be subject to copyright restrictions.

4. (finance) Having a value that depends on an underlying asset of variable value.

noun

1. Something derived.

2. (linguistics) A word formed by derivation, such as stylish from style.

3. (finance) A financial instrument whose value depends on the valuation of an underlying asset; such as a warrant, an option etc.

4. (chemistry) A chemical derived from another.

5. (calculus) One of the two fundamental objects of study in calculus (the other being integration), which quantifies the rate of change, tangency, and other qualities arising from the local behavior of a function.