Necelým

Necelým is the instrumental singular masculine and neuter form of the Czech adjective necelý, meaning not whole, partial, or incomplete. The base adjective necelý is formed with the negation prefix ne- attached to celý, meaning “whole.” The form necelým is used when the noun it modifies is masculine inanimate or masculine personal and is in the instrumental case, and also for neuter nouns in the instrumental singular. In feminine gender, the instrumental singular form is necelou, and the plural instrumental is necelými. The word is employed to describe things that lack completeness or full extent, such as partial editions, incomplete data, or concepts not fully formed. It can occur in neutral, formal, and literary style.

Etymology: from Proto-Slavic *celъ “whole” with the prefix ne- to negate.

Usage notes: necelý commonly contrasts with zcela or úplný (complete). The choice between necelým and other adjectives depends on the noun’s gender, number, and case. In many contexts, the sense is similar to “partially,” but it specifically relates to the state of completeness of the noun rather than a degree expressed by adverbs.

See also: celý, neúplný, zcela.