Brzozowski derivative

noun

The set of all strings obtainable from a given set of strings by cutting off a prefix. For example, for the set { cat, cow, dog }, the Brzozowski derivative with respect to c is { at, ow }. They have applications in regular expressions.

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Meanings

nounBrzozowski derivative (plural Brzozowski derivatives)

plural Brzozowski derivatives

  1. computingThe set of all strings obtainable from a given set of strings by cutting off a prefix. For example, for the set { cat, cow, dog }, the Brzozowski derivative with respect to c is { at, ow }. They have applications in regular expressions.

Origin

Named after the computer scientist Janusz Brzozowski, who investigated its properties.

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Cite this entry
APA

Brzozowski derivative. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brzozowski%20derivative

MLA

“Brzozowski derivative.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brzozowski%20derivative. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Brzozowski derivative,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brzozowski%20derivative.

Source: Brzozowski derivative on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.