adj. & n.
--adj.
1. not complete; forming only part (a partial success).
2 biased, unfair.
3 (foll. by to) having a liking for.
--n. Mus. any of the constituents of a musical sound.
Phrases and idioms:
partial eclipse an eclipse in which only part of the luminary is covered or darkened. partial verdict a verdict finding a person guilty of part of a charge.
Derivatives:
partially adv. partialness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF parcial f. LL partialis (as PART)