PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL
Partial differential, the curly d used in calculus.
U+2202 · 15.1.0 · Common script
About this character
The partial differential symbol (∂), also called “curly d” or “partial,” is a stylized lowercase delta introduced by Marquis de Condorcet in 1773 and popularized by Adrien-Marie Legendre. In mathematics, it denotes a partial derivative, indicating differentiation with respect to one variable while others remain fixed. Beyond calculus, ∂ appears in physics for boundary operators and in typography as a distinctive glyph for designers. In programming, it surfaces in symbolic mathematics libraries and LaTeX (as `\partial`) for technical documentation. Its elegant, rounded form distinguishes it from the straight-backed delta, making it instantly recognizable in equations, academic papers, and digital typesetting.
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E2 88 822202∂ / ∂\002202\u2202\u2202%E2%88%82Character
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