derivative
not original; drawn from another source
Roots
- de-: down, away, reversal, reduction, or removal
- riv / river: stream, flow, or draw from a source
Other words with the riv / river root
A derivative thing is drawn off from a source rather than springing up by itself.
The second essay felt derivative because every strong idea came from the first.
River keeps rivus concrete. Derive draws from a source; derivative is what has been drawn from something earlier.