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Partial vs Superficial - What's the difference?

partial | superficial |

As adjectives the difference between partial and superficial

is that partial is existing as a part or portion; incomplete while superficial is shallow, lacking substance.

As nouns the difference between partial and superficial

is that partial is (mathematics) a partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables while superficial is (chiefly in plural) a surface detail.

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

    * ----

    superficial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Shallow, lacking substance.
  • At face value.
  • *
    • Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.
  • Of or pertaining to the surface.
  • Being near the surface.
  • (rare) Two-dimensional; drawn on a flat surface.

    • Synonyms

    * (of or pertaining to the surface) surficial

    Antonyms

    * in-depth * thorough * (lacking substance) substantive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly in plural) A surface detail.
    • He always concentrates on the superficials and fails to see the real issue.

    Related terms

    * superfice (archaic) ----