English

Adjective

derived ‎(not comparable)

1. (systematics) Of, or pertaining to, conditions unique to the descendant species of a clade, and not found in earlier ancestral species.
2. (comparable, archaic, taxonomy) Possessing features believed to be more advanced or improved than those other organisms.
3. product of derivation

   The French language is derived from Latin.

Usage notes

Modern systematics proscribes use of derived to mean "advanced", preferring to use derived to simply mean "changed from the ancestral state" without an evaluation of quality.

Derived terms

• trackside-derived

Translations

See also

• apomorphy

Verb

derived

1. simple past tense and past participle of derive