partial differential
noun Mathematics.
an expression obtained from a given function of several variables by taking the partial derivative with respect to one of the variables and multiplying by the increment in that variable.
RELATED CONTENT
What is the difference between partly and partially?Generally, the words may be used interchangeably to refer to some amount or degree that is less than the whole. For example, you can say: She is partly responsible for their fighting. / She is partially responsible for their fighting. However, partially may imply favoritism because it is related to ‘partial’ and does have the archaic sense ‘in a biased manner’. To avoid ambiguity when describing favoritism, say: He is ‘partial’ …
Nearby words
- partial,
- partial agglutinin,
- partial antigen,
- partial denture,
- partial derivative,
- partial differential equation,
- partial differentiation,
- partial eclipse,
- partial fraction,
- partial ophthalmoplegia
Origin of partial differential
First recorded in 1810–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019