partial /(pär"shal)/

par·tial

partial

a.
  1. Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse of the moon.
  2. Inclined to favor one party in a cause, or one side of a question, more then the other; biased; not indifferent; as, a judge should not be partial.
    Ye have been partial in the law.
    — Mal. ii. 9.
  3. Having a predilection for; inclined to favor unreasonably; foolishly fond.
    Not partial to an ostentatious display.
  4. Pertaining to a subordinate portion; as, a compound umbel is made up of a several partial umbels; a leaflet is often supported by a partial petiole. (Bot.)

Phrases & Compounds
Partial differentials
the differentials, differential coefficients, differentiation etc., of the function, upon the hypothesis that some of the variables are for the time constant.
Partial fractions
fractions whose sum equals a given fraction.
Partial tones
the simple tones which in combination form an ordinary tone; the overtones, or harmonics, which, blending with a fundamental tone, cause its special quality of sound, or timbre, or tone color. See, also, Tone.