2 entries under this word
[Lat. derivativus, Fr. dérivatif, Pr. derivatiu, Sp., Pg., & It. derivativo.] Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical or original; originating from something else; secondary; as, a derivative conveyance; a derivative chord, that is, one derived from another by inversion.
Sense 1. That which is derived; any thing obtained, or deduced from, another.
Sense 2. (Gram.) A word formed from another word, by a prefix or suffix, an internal modification, or some other change; as, “acknowledge” is a derivative from “knowledge.”
Sense 3. (Mus.) A chord, not fundamental, but obtained from another by inversion.
Sense 4. (Med.) That which is adapted to produce a derivation.
Sense 5. (Math.) A function expressing the relation between two consecutive states of a varying function; a differential co-efficient.