PARTIAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does partial mean? 

• PARTIAL (noun)
  The noun PARTIAL has 2 senses:

1. 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

2. a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency

  Familiarity information: PARTIAL used as a noun is rare.

• PARTIAL (adjective)
  The adjective PARTIAL has 3 senses:

1. being or affecting only a part; not total

2. showing favoritism

3. (followed by 'of' or 'to') having a strong preference or liking for

  Familiarity information: PARTIAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PARTIAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

partial; partial derivative

Hypernyms ("partial" is a kind of...):

derivative; derived function; differential; differential coefficient; first derivative (the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

overtone; partial; partial tone

Hypernyms ("partial" is a kind of...):

harmonic (a tone that is a component of a complex sound)

• PARTIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being or affecting only a part; not total

Context example:

partial immunity

Similar:

incomplete; uncomplete (not complete or total; not completed)

Derivation:

part (something less than the whole of a human artifact)

part (something determined in relation to something that includes it)

partialness (the state of being only a part; not total; incomplete)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Showing favoritism

Similar:

biased; colored; coloured; one-sided; slanted (favoring one person or side over another)

Also:

unfair; unjust (not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception)

Antonym:

impartial (showing lack of favoritism)

Derivation:

partiality (an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(followed by 'of' or 'to') having a strong preference or liking for

Synonyms:

fond; partial

Context example:

partial to horror movies

Similar:

inclined ((often followed by 'to') having a preference, disposition, or tendency)

 Context examples 

But I am a partial old friend.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

A primitive, malignant round cell neoplasm that cytologically resembles lymphoma and which shows partial skeletal muscle differentiation.

(Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, NCI Thesaurus)

Buprenorphine hydrochloride is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kapa-opioid receptor in the central nervous system.

(Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

Partial or complete removal of one or both of the ovaries.

(Oophorectomy, NCI Thesaurus)

A rare congenital abnormality characterized by partial or complete absence of the lower portion of the spine.

(Caudal Regression Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor in the CNS.

(Buprenorphine Transdermal Matrix Patch, NCI Thesaurus)

It is a type of nicotine receptor partial agonist.

(Chantix, NCI Dictionary)

Aripiprazole has partial agonistic activity at dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, as well as potent antagonistic activity on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.

(Aripiprazole, NCI Thesaurus)

Partial or complete loss of the ability to detect or understand sounds present in an infant within its first month after birth.

(Neonatal Hearing Loss, NCI Thesaurus)

The determination of the amount of partial pressure of oxygen when hemoglobin is half saturated that is present in a sample.

(P50 Oxygen Measurement, NCI Thesaurus)