Words / C1

PAHSHL/ˈpɑːʃl/

Partial means incomplete, or biased towards one side: a partial list, a partial judge, partial to dark chocolate (fond of). Complete is an opposite; biased is the fairness sense. Partly is the adverb of “not completely”. Do not call a full, signed award partial.

Meaning

Not complete; also unfairly favouring one side (partial to).

Examples

• “A partial refund did not restart the cancelled clinic.”
• “A partial refund did not restart the cancelled night clinic.”
• “Incomplete is the first sense; unfairly one-sided is the second; fond of is the third (partial to). Partly finished is the adverb. Impartial is the fairness opposite. A complete transcript is not partial.”

Good to know

Incomplete; also biased / fond of (partial to). Adverb: partly. Fairness opposite: impartial. Three senses — pick one. Not a finished award.

Near in meaning

incomplete

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