Partial
/ˈpɑːr.ʃəl/noun
Existing only in part; not complete or total.
Did you know?Partial ultimately comes from Latin *partialis*, meaning “of a part,” from *pars* (“part”), the same ancient root behind words like *party* and *parcel*—language built on division.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to divide, allot, or share out”
Latin
Latin
pars
“a part or share”
Late Latin
Latin
partialis
“of a part; incomplete”
Old French
Old French
partial
“partial; favoring one side or person”
Middle English
English
partial
“biased; favoring one side”
Modern English
English
partial
“existing only in part; not complete”