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Partial vs Preferable - What's the difference?

partial | preferable |

As adjectives the difference between partial and preferable

is that partial is existing as a part or portion; incomplete while preferable is preferable.

As a noun partial

is (mathematics) a partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables.

partial

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Existing as a part or portion; incomplete.
    • So far, I have only pieced together a partial account of the incident.
  • (computer science) Describing a property that holds only when an algorithm terminates.
    • It's easy to prove partial correctness, but it's not obvious that it is also totally correct.
  • Biased in favor of a person, side, or point of view, especially when dealing with a competition or dispute.
    • The referee is blatantly partial !
  • * Alexander Pope
    • a partial parent
  • Having a predilection for something.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • not partial to an ostentatious display

    Antonyms

    * (biased) impartial

    Derived terms

    * impartial * impartiality * impartially * partiality * partially * partial to

    Related terms

    * part * partly

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (mathematics) A partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables.
  • (music) An overtone or harmonic.
  • (dentistry) dentures that replace only some of the natural teeth

    • External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    preferable

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Better than some other option; preferred.
  • *

    • Derived terms

    * preferably