derivative
UK[dɪˈrɪvətɪv]US[dɪˈrɪvətɪv]
adj
imitative of the work of another artist, writer, etc., and usually disapproved of for that reason.
adj
(of a financial product) having a value that is based on the value of another asset, such as a commodity or currency.
n
something which is based on another source.
n
(mathematics) an expression representing the rate of change of a function with respect to an independent variable.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
riv
ative
de
from
riv
stream
ative
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'derivative' originates from the latin verb 'derivare', meaning 'to draw off (water), divert'. this verb itself is composed of 'de-' ('from, away') and 'rivus' ('stream'), painting a literal picture of drawing water away from a stream. the semantic evolution moved from this physical sense of diversion to the more abstract idea of obtaining something from a source, much like a stream branching from a river. by the late middle english period, it had acquired its core modern meanings, describing something that is not original but originates from, or is derived from, a primary source, applicable across linguistics, finance, and mathematics.
Analysis
Structure: de (from) + riv (stream) + ative (adjective suffix)
de- (latin origin, meaning 'from, away from'), riv (latin origin, from 'rivus' meaning 'stream, brook'), -ative (latin adjectival suffix, forming adjectives meaning 'of or related to an action').
Examples
his style was seen as derivative and lacking in originality.
the company trades in complex financial derivatives.
the derivative of the function x² is 2x.