Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR'TIAL, a. [Fr. from L. pars; It. parziale.]

1. Biased to one party; inclined to favor one party in a cause, or one side of a question, more than the other; not indifferent. It is important to justice that a judge should not be partial. Self love will make men partial to themselves and friends. – Locke.
2. Inclined to favor without reason. Authors are partial to their wit, and critics to their judgment.
3. Affecting a part only; not general or universal; not total. It has been much disputed whether the deluge was partial or total. All partial evil, universal good. – Pope.
4. More strongly inclined to one thing than to others. [Colloquial.]
5. In botany, subordinate; applied to subdivisions; as, a partial umbel or umbellicle; a partial peduncle. A partial involucre is placed at the foot of a partial umbel.