partial

comparative more partial · superlative most partial

1. Existing as a part or portion; incomplete.

   So far, I have only pieced together a partial account of the incident.

   Synonyms: partite, fractional, demi-, semi-

2. computerDescribing a property that holds only when an algorithm terminates.

   It's easy to prove partial correctness, but it's not obvious that it is also totally correct.

3. Biased in favor of a person, side, or point of view, especially when dealing with a competition or dispute.

   The referee is blatantly partial!

   2 more examples

   God is not partial; he does not play favorites.

   17th century, Alexander Pope, a letter partial parent

   Synonyms: nonimpartial · Antonyms: impartial

4. Having a predilection for something.

   of

   2 more examples

   not partial to an ostentatious display

   1815 February 24, [Walter Scott], Guy Mannering; or, The Astrologer. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and Archibald Constable and Co., […], →OCLC

   But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.

   1817, Jane Austen, chapter 6, in Pride and Prejudice, page 32

   Synonyms: fond

5. mathematicsOf or relating to a partial derivative or partial differential.
6. biologySubordinate.
7. crosswordingHaving a wordplay element, but no definition.

   Twelve six- letter lights form a group; these have only partial clues.

   1982 07, The Listener

   1 more example

   Fourteen solutions are men of a kind. Each begins with a different letter, and their (partial) clues begin with the same letter as their solutions.

   1996 February 5, “New York Magazine”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), page 103

plural partials

1. mathematicsA partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables while holding the other variables constant.
2. quantum mechanics; acoustics; quantum mechanics; acousticsentertainmentAny of the sine waves which make up a complex tone; often an overtone or harmonic of the fundamental.
3. dentistrydentures that replace only some of the natural teeth
4. forensicsAn incomplete fingerprint
5. InternetcomputingA fragment of a template containing markup.

   In fact, as seen in Chapters 5 and 6, the resulting document is usually the product of rendering a layout, which yields the rendering of the template at hand, which in turn can invoke the rendering of other templates and/or one or more partials.

   2009, Antonio Cangiano, Ruby on Rails for Microsoft Developers, page 356

6. bodybuildingA repetition of an exercise during which the range of motion (amplitude) is not maximized.

   Research tells us that eccentrics, heavy partials, and static exercise may require several days or weeks of recovery time.

   2021, Edward L. Wallace, Omniflex: A Unified System of Strength Training

   Synonyms: half rep

7. slanglifestyleA fursuit that does not fully cover the wearer's body.

present singular third person partials · present participle (US) partialing · UK present partialling · past participle (US) partialed · UK past partialled

1. transitivemathematicsTo take the partial regression coefficient.