derivatum

Derivatum is a term used mainly in philology and historical linguistics to denote a word form produced by derivation from a base form. A derivatum is typically distinguished from the base form (lemma or stem) and from inflected forms, because it results from the addition of derivational affixes or from processes like compounding that alter the word’s category or meaning. The concept comes from Latin derivatum, neuter singular of derivatus, literally meaning “that which has been derived,” from derivare “to derive.” In traditional linguistic and lexicographic works, derivata or derivata forms are sometimes labeled as derivata, but practice varies by tradition, and many modern linguists prefer the terms derived form or derivational morphology rather than a single “derivatum” category. In English-language usage, the term derivatum remains uncommon and is mainly found in historical texts or discussions of derivational morphology within Latin or Romance-language philologies.

Examples help illustrate the idea: from the base “happy” derives the derivatum “happiness,” a noun formed by suffixation that shifts the word’s category and meaning; from “teach” one derives “teacher” or “teaching.”

In other fields, derivatum may appear as a general Latin label meaning “that which is derived,” and its exact application depends on disciplinary and linguistic tradition.

See also: derivative, derivation, derived form, derivational morphology.