Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Favoring one side over another; biased: Showing unfair preference or inclination.
   • Relating to or affecting only a part; not total or complete: Existing in or concerning a part rather than the whole.
   • Having a strong liking for: Fond of something (typically followed by 'to').

2. Noun:

   • A component of a complex sound: In acoustics and music, a harmonic with a frequency that is an integer multiple of a fundamental frequency.
   • A derivative of a function of several variables: In mathematics, the derivative taken with respect to one variable while treating the others as constant.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The judge was accused of being partial in his decision. (Showing bias)
  • We only have a partial list of the attendees. (Not complete)
  • She is partial to classical music and fine wine. (Having a liking for)

• Noun:

  • The clarinet's sound is rich because of its many partials. (Harmonic components)
  • To solve the equation, first compute the partial with respect to x. (Mathematical derivative)

Advanced Usage

• "partial to": Having a particular liking or weakness for something.

  • He has always been partial to a good mystery novel.

• "partial derivative": (Mathematics) A derivative of a function of multiple variables with respect to one variable, holding the others constant.

  • The rate of change is found by taking the partial derivative.

• "partial pressure": (Chemistry/Physics) The pressure that one component of a mixture of gases would exert if it alone occupied the entire volume.

  • The partial pressure of oxygen is critical for respiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Partially (adverb): To some extent; not completely.

  • The project is partially finished.

• Partiality (noun): Unfair bias or a strong liking for something.

  • The referee's partiality was obvious. (Bias)
  • He has a partiality for spicy food. (Liking)

• Impartial (adjective): Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just. (Antonym)

  • An impartial observer.

Synonyms

• Adjective (biased): Biased, prejudiced, one-sided.
• Adjective (incomplete): Incomplete, limited, fragmentary.
• Adjective (fond of): Fond of, keen on, having a taste for.

Related Phrases

• Partial verdict: (Law) A verdict in which the jury finds the defendant guilty of some, but not all, charges.

  • The jury returned a partial verdict.

• Partial loss: (Insurance) A loss that does not completely destroy the insured property.

  • The fire resulted in a partial loss of inventory.

Idioms

• Partial to a drop of something: (Informal, often humorous) Having a liking for alcoholic drinks.

  • My grandfather was always partial to a drop of whiskey.

• In partial fulfillment of: Used to indicate that something contributes to but does not completely meet a requirement.

  • This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Adjective

1. (followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for
   • fond of chocolate
   • partial to horror movies
2. showing favoritism
3. being or affecting only a part; not total
   • a partial description of the suspect
   • partial collapse
   • a partial eclipse
   • a partial monopoly
   • partial immunity

Noun

1. a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
2. the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant