Category:Derivative

De*riv"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. derivativus: cf. F. dérivatif.]

Defn: Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical, original, or fundamental; originating, deduced, or formed from something else; secondary; as, a derivative conveyance; a derivative word. Derivative circulation, a modification of the circulation found in some parts of the body, in which the arteries empty directly into the veins without the interposition of capillaries. Flint. -- De*riv"a*tive*ly, adv. -- De*riv"a*tive*ness, n.

derivative De*riv"a*tive, n.

1. That which is derived; anything obtained or deduced from another.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: A word formed from another word, by a prefix or suffix, an internal modification, or some other change; a word which takes its origin from a root.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: A chord, not fundamental, but obtained from another by inversion; or, vice versa, a ground tone or root implied in its harmonics in an actual chord.

4. (Med.)

Defn: An agent which is adapted to produce a derivation (in the medical sense).

5. (Math.)

Defn: A derived function; a function obtained from a given function by a certain algebraic process.

Note: Except in the mode of derivation the derivative is the same as the differential coefficient. See Differential coefficient, under Differential.

6. (Chem.)

Defn: A substance so related to another substance by modification or partial substitution as to be regarded as derived from it; thus, the amido compounds are derivatives of ammonia, and the hydrocarbons are derivatives of methane, benzene, etc.