partial differentiation

partial \par"tial\ (p[aum]r"shal), a. [F., fr. LL. partials, fr.
   L. pars, gen. partis, a part; cf. (for sense 1) F. partiel.
   See {Part}, n.]
   1. Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general
      or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse
      of the moon. "Partial dissolutions of the earth." --T.
      Burnet.
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   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.
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            Ye have been partial in the law.      --Mal. ii. 9.
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   3. Having a predilection for; inclined to favor unreasonably;
      foolishly fond. "A partial parent." --Pope.
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            Not partial to an ostentatious display. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   4. (Bot.) 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.
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   {Partial differentials}, {Partial differential coefficients},
   {Partial differentiation}, etc. (of a function of two or more
      variables), the differentials, differential coefficients,
      differentiation etc., of the function, upon the hypothesis
      that some of the variables are for the time constant.

   {Partial fractions} (Alg.), fractions whose sum equals a
      given fraction.

   {Partial tones} (Music), 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}.
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