derivative

IPA: dɝˈɪvʌtɪv

Something derived.
(linguistics) A word that derives from another one.
(finance) A financial instrument whose value depends on the valuation of an underlying asset; such as a warrant, an option etc.
(chemistry) A chemical derived from another.
(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.
(Of a function of a single variable f(x)) The derived function of f(x): the function giving the instantaneous rate of change of f; equivalently, the function giving the slope of the line tangent to the graph of f. Written f'(x) or (df)/(dx) in Leibniz's notation, ̇f(x) in Newton's notation (the latter used particularly when the independent variable is time).
The value of such a derived function for a given value of its independent variable: the rate of change of a function at a point in its domain.
(Of more general classes of functions) Any of several related generalizations of the derivative: the directional derivative, partial derivative, Fréchet derivative, functional derivative, etc.
(generally) The linear operator that maps functions to their derived functions, usually written D; the simplest differential operator.

Obtained by derivation; not radical, original, or fundamental.
Imitative of the work of someone else.
(law, copyright law) Referring to a work, such as a translation or adaptation, based on another work that may be subject to copyright restrictions.
(finance) Having a value that depends on an underlying asset of variable value.

Examples of "derivative" in Sentences

Now a story or movie being derivative is not necessarily a bad thing.
Some local governments absorbed huge losses in derivative investments.
Dennis, wherever he learned it, derivative is definitely the right word.
Let the people who traded in derivative drown in the cesspool they created.
This Shuttle C derivative is nothing but a stalking horse to make Ares I/V look better.
Frodo Baggins is renamed Frodo Sumkin (a derivative from the Russian word sumka, or bag).
Financial markets use the term derivative to describe a transaction that derives its value from an independent reference asset.
(A derivative is an investment whose value comes from, or "derives," from another investment, like stocks, credit, or home mortgages ...)
The term derivative product is a general term for a contractual agreement between two parties whereby the counterparties exchange -- or swap -- payments based some underlying benchmarks, applied against a contract notional amount.
I remember a bunch of years ago there was federal legislation pending a Senate vote haviong to do with amendments to either the '33 0r' 34 Securities Act or Securities and Exchange Act, which would have increased the difficulty for plaintiffs in derivative actions and in actions against broker dealers.