adjective / noun

derivative

dih-RIV-uh-tiv/dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

Based on or produced from something else.

The elaborate leaf artwork is derivative of the simpler drawing beside it.

Original simple leaf drawing beside a second elaborated artwork visibly developed from it, source and derivative related.

Etymology

deLatinfrom

+rivLatinstream

+ativeLatinrelating to an action

The “from a stream” image underlies drawing something off from a source. The adjective came to mean secondary or taken from another, and the noun names the resulting thing.

In context

Libertarianism.org38:44

another condition this is usually a derivative an implication of large numbers is in in perfect competition theory is price taking behavior

Revising Traditional Notions of Competition and Monopoly - The Turney Collection

More examples

This solvent is a derivative of petroleum.
The new design is derivative, but it still works well.
Many English words are derivatives of older Latin words.

Forms

derivative · derivatives

derive verb — To obtain something from a source.

derivation noun — The process of developing from a source.

Similar words

unoriginal: Emphasizes lacking novelty rather than coming from another source.
imitative: Specifically suggests copying another work, style, or behavior.