In
crosswords, a partial is a multi-word entry that can only reasonably
be clued as a
fill-in-the-blank clue. Generally, any phrase that is
neither an
idiomatic expression with meaning of its own nor the full
title of a song/movie/play/person's name/etc. is going to be a partial.
In modern crossword design, longer partials are considered one of the
least desirable types of entries, right up there with crosswordese
(anoa) and uncommon abbreviations.
Some crossword editors have strict guidelines about what partials are
allowed.
Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle,
does not allow any partials of more than five letters except in
very unusual circumstances.