derivative

Definitions

Literally 'drawn from another.' As an adjective it usually criticizes — a derivative work merely copies its sources. But in math and finance the word is neutral and technical: a derivative is a value or instrument drawn from an underlying source. Same root, opposite tones by field.

Common Collocations

• 1.highly derivative毫无新意
• 2.financial derivative金融衍生品
• 3.derivative work衍生作品
• 4.derivative of……的衍生物

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Critics dismissed the album as derivative and dull.

• 2.

  The bank lost millions trading complex derivatives.

• 3.

  In calculus, the derivative gives the rate of change.

Easily Confused

derivative vs original — As an adjective, derivative is the opposite of original: an original idea comes from its creator, a derivative one is copied from elsewhere. Don't mix up the critical adjective ('this is so derivative') with the neutral technical noun ('a financial derivative').