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• n  the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
• n  a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
• n  a financial instrument whose value is based on another security
• n  (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word
  `electricity' is a derivative of `electric'
• s  resulting from or employing derivation
  a derivative process
  a highly derivative prose style

• But the new network shows of fall 2002 were a creatively timid mass of remakes, bland family comedies and derivative cop dramas.
• There is nothing that you can say is derivative about the song.
• Pressure is mounting on banks and financial firms that traded with AIG to return a portion of the profits they pocketed on derivative contracts made by the troubled insurer.

• derived function
• differential coefficient
• differential
• first derivative
• derivative instrument

News & Articles

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• Why Bank Derivative Trades Aren't So Risky
  Warren Buffett famously referred to derivatives as "financial weapons of mass destruction," but unless we accept that residential mortgages are too - because enough banks have almost gone bust dealing in those seemingly harmless beasts - the phrase glorifies derivatives into something they are not.
  June 13, 2013 - CNBC
• Judge Rejects MBIA's Lawsuit Against PE Executive Lynn Tilton
  A federal judge has rejected a breach of contract lawsuit against private-equity executive Lynn Tilton, rejecting MBIA?s claims that Tilton reneged on an agreement designed to prop up failing derivative securities it had insured.
  June 11, 2013 - Forbes
• Cirrus Logic Future Tied To Apple Misfortunes
  You?ll often hear about ?derivative? trades or alternative ways that traders are taking advantage of a hot sector or new technology without investing directly in the business itself, which might be overbought or played out.
  June 10, 2013 - Forbes

Quotes

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• Barack Obama in New York Times
  Under these circumstances, it's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses at all, much less $165 million in extra pay,Mr. Obama said. "How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the...