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Derived vs Imitative - What's the difference?

derived | imitative |

As adjectives the difference between derived and imitative

is that derived is (systematics) of, or pertaining to, conditions unique to the descendant species of a clade, and not found in earlier ancestral species while imitative is imitating; copying; not original.

As a verb derived

is (derive).

derived

English

Adjective

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

    See also

    * apomorphy

    Verb

    (head)
  • (derive)

    • imitative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Imitating; copying; not original.
  • Modelled after another thing.

    • Antonyms

    * creative * inventive * original