diff --git a/src/apply/partial.xsl b/src/apply/partial.xsl
index e94d904..2208a95 100644
--- a/src/apply/partial.xsl
+++ b/src/apply/partial.xsl
@@ -26,16 +26,18 @@
 <stylesheet version="2.0"
   xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"
   xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"
-  xmlns:f="http://www.lovullo.com/hoxsl/apply">
+  xmlns:f="http://www.lovullo.com/hoxsl/apply"
+  xmlns:_f="http://www.lovullo.com/hoxsl/apply/_priv">
 
 <import href="arity.xsl" />
 
 
 <!--
-  Partially apply dynamic function reference FNREF
+  Partially apply dynamic function reference @var{fnref}
 
-  When provided to `f:apply', FNREF will be applied with ARGS as its
-  beginning argments, followed by any arguments to `f:apply'.
+  When provided to @code{f:apply}, @var{fnref} will be applied with
+  @var{args} as its beginning argments, followed by any arguments to
+  `f:apply'.
 
   Note that you usually do not have to invoke this function directly:
   the dynamic function calls will handle currying/partial application
@@ -44,6 +46,10 @@
   Partially applied functions may continue to be partially applied
   until their parameters are exhausted.  This can be used to implement
   currying.
+
+  When destructuring the result of this function, note that the
+  returned function reference may not match @var{fnref} by reference,
+  as it may have been modified.
 -->
 <function name="f:partial" as="item()+">
   <param name="fnref" as="item()+" />
@@ -72,6 +78,10 @@
             select="f:arity( $ref )" />
 
   <choose>
+    <when test="$argn eq $arity">
+      <sequence select="_f:apply-partial( $ref, $argout )" />
+    </when>
+
     <when test="$argn gt $arity">
       <apply-templates mode="f:partial-arity-error-hook"
                        select="$ref">
@@ -157,4 +167,36 @@
                         $argn, ' arguments' ) )" />
 </template>
 
+
+<!--
+  Apply a partial dynamic function application
+
+  This function is called automatically by @code{f:partial} when
+  partial application would otherwise result in the returning of a
+  nullary function.  @emph{It performs no validations} to ensure the
+  integrity of the data.}
+
+  Just as @code{f:apply}, please note that @emph{up to eight arguments
+  are supported}.  This should be enough.
+-->
+<function name="_f:apply-partial">
+  <param name="fnref" as="element(f:ref)" />
+  <param name="args"  as="item()*" />
+
+  <variable name="fn" as="element()"
+            select="$fnref[ 1 ]" />
+
+  <!-- just as `f:apply', we support up to 8 arguments -->
+  <apply-templates select="$fn" mode="f:apply">
+    <with-param name="arg1" select="$args[ 1 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg2" select="$args[ 2 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg3" select="$args[ 3 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg4" select="$args[ 4 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg5" select="$args[ 5 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg6" select="$args[ 6 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg7" select="$args[ 7 ]" />
+    <with-param name="arg8" select="$args[ 8 ]" />
+  </apply-templates>
+</function>
+
 </stylesheet>
diff --git a/test/apply.xspec b/test/apply.xspec
index 285268b..4ccce28 100644
--- a/test/apply.xspec
+++ b/test/apply.xspec
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 
         <!-- technically it applies a template -->
         <expect label="applies target function"
-                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 0 ]" />"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 0 ]" />
       </scenario>
 
 
diff --git a/test/apply/partial-test.xsl b/test/apply/partial-test.xsl
index 144d76b..99dfadd 100644
--- a/test/apply/partial-test.xsl
+++ b/test/apply/partial-test.xsl
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@
   <!-- SUT -->
   <import href="../../src/apply/partial.xsl" />
 
+  <!-- numerous templates for arity tests -->
+  <import href="../apply-test.xsl" />
+
   <!-- generated -->
   <import href="partial-test.xsl.apply" />
 
@@ -53,6 +56,7 @@
     <param name="y" />
     <param name="z" />
 
+    <foo:ternary-applied />
     <sequence select="$x, $y, $z" />
   </function>
 </stylesheet>
diff --git a/test/apply/partial.xspec b/test/apply/partial.xspec
index 902cc2c..eda5a53 100644
--- a/test/apply/partial.xspec
+++ b/test/apply/partial.xspec
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@
       <foo:b />
       <foo:c />
       <foo:d />
+      <foo:e />
+      <foo:f />
+      <foo:g />
+      <foo:h />
     </foo:parent>
   </variable>
 
@@ -76,41 +80,252 @@
     </scenario>
 
 
+    <!-- our implementation can be thought of like currying -->
     <scenario label="given arguments for all function params">
       <call function="f:partial">
         <param name="fnref" select="$fnref" />
-        <param name="args"  select="1, 2, 3" />
+        <param name="args"  select="$args/foo:a,
+                                    $args/foo:b,
+                                    $args/foo:c" />
       </call>
 
-      <expect label="returns FNREF as first item in sequence"
-              test="$x:result[ 1 ] = $fnref" />
+      <expect label="applies target function"
+              test="$x:result[ 1 ]
+                    and $x:result[ 1 ] = foo:ternary-applied" />
 
-      <!-- we checked previously for argument values; we assume here
-           that it is working in this case...hopefully that is not
-           wrong! -->
-      <expect label="returns all arguments"
-              test="count( $x:result ) = 4" />
+      <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+              test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a
+                    and $x:result[ 3 ] is $args/foo:b
+                    and $x:result[ 4 ] is $args/foo:c" />
     </scenario>
 
 
     <!-- partial applications should behave as their own functions -->
-    <scenario label="partially applying partial application">
+    <scenario label="partially applying partial application, with
+                     fewer arguments than target function arity">
       <call function="f:partial">
-        <param name="fnref" select="f:partial( $fnref, (1, 2) )" />
-        <param name="args"  select="3" />
+        <param name="fnref" select="f:partial( $fnref, $args/foo:a )" />
+        <param name="args"  select="$args/foo:b" />
       </call>
 
       <expect label="returns FNREF as first item in sequence"
               test="$x:result[ 1 ] = $fnref" />
 
       <expect label="returns arguments from both partial applications"
-              test="count( $x:result ) = 4" />
+              test="count( $x:result ) = 3" />
 
       <expect label="arguments are ordered with previous applications
                      first in sequence"
-              test="$x:result[ 2 ] = 1
-                    and $x:result[ 3 ] = 2
-                    and $x:result[ 4 ] = 3" />
+              test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a
+                    and $x:result[ 3 ] is $args/foo:b" />
+    </scenario>
+
+
+    <scenario label="partially applying partial application, with all
+                     arguments">
+      <call function="f:partial">
+        <param name="fnref" select="f:partial( $fnref, ($args/foo:a,
+                                                        $args/foo:b) )" />
+        <param name="args"  select="$args/foo:c" />
+      </call>
+
+      <expect label="applies target function"
+              test="$x:result[ 1 ]
+                    and $x:result[ 1 ] = foo:ternary-applied" />
+
+      <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+              test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a
+                    and $x:result[ 3 ] is $args/foo:b
+                    and $x:result[ 4 ] is $args/foo:c" />
+    </scenario>
+
+
+    <!-- let the repitition begin (don't we wish we had macros?
+         ...foreshadowing?) -->
+    <scenario label="completing partial application passes all
+                     arguments to a target">
+      <scenario label="unary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="1"><foo:fn1 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 1 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="binary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="2"><foo:fn2 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 2 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] is $args/foo:b" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="ternary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="3"><foo:fn3 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 3 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] is $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] is $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] is $args/foo:c" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="4-ary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="4"><foo:fn4 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c,
+                                     $args/foo:d" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 4 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] = $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] = $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] = $args/foo:c
+                      and $x:result[ 5 ] = $args/foo:d" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="5-ary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="5"><foo:fn5 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c,
+                                     $args/foo:d,
+                                     $args/foo:e" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 5 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] = $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] = $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] = $args/foo:c
+                      and $x:result[ 5 ] = $args/foo:d
+                      and $x:result[ 6 ] = $args/foo:e" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="6-ary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="6"><foo:fn6 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c,
+                                     $args/foo:d,
+                                     $args/foo:e,
+                                     $args/foo:f" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 6 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] = $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] = $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] = $args/foo:c
+                      and $x:result[ 5 ] = $args/foo:d
+                      and $x:result[ 6 ] = $args/foo:e
+                      and $x:result[ 7 ] = $args/foo:f" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="7-ary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="7"><foo:fn7 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c,
+                                     $args/foo:d,
+                                     $args/foo:e,
+                                     $args/foo:f,
+                                     $args/foo:g" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 7 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] = $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] = $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] = $args/foo:c
+                      and $x:result[ 5 ] = $args/foo:d
+                      and $x:result[ 6 ] = $args/foo:e
+                      and $x:result[ 7 ] = $args/foo:f
+                      and $x:result[ 8 ] = $args/foo:g" />
+      </scenario>
+
+
+      <scenario label="8-ary">
+        <call function="f:partial">
+          <param name="fnref">
+            <f:ref arity="8"><foo:fn8 /></f:ref>
+          </param>
+          <param name="args" select="$args/foo:a,
+                                     $args/foo:b,
+                                     $args/foo:c,
+                                     $args/foo:d,
+                                     $args/foo:e,
+                                     $args/foo:f,
+                                     $args/foo:g,
+                                     $args/foo:h" />
+        </call>
+
+        <expect label="applies target function"
+                test="$x:result[ 1 ] = foo:applied[ @n = 8 ]" />
+
+        <expect label="applies target function with arguments, by reference"
+                test="$x:result[ 2 ] = $args/foo:a
+                      and $x:result[ 3 ] = $args/foo:b
+                      and $x:result[ 4 ] = $args/foo:c
+                      and $x:result[ 5 ] = $args/foo:d
+                      and $x:result[ 6 ] = $args/foo:e
+                      and $x:result[ 7 ] = $args/foo:f
+                      and $x:result[ 8 ] = $args/foo:g
+                      and $x:result[ 9 ] = $args/foo:h" />
+      </scenario>
     </scenario>
   </scenario>
 
@@ -202,20 +417,6 @@
       <expect label="returns true()"
               test="$x:result = true()" />
     </scenario>
-
-
-    <!-- we still want to consider all arguments to be a partial
-         application (consider it as producing a nullary
-         function)—otherwise, the abstraction is broken -->
-    <scenario label="given arguments for each parameter">
-      <call function="f:is-partial">
-        <param name="fnref"
-               select="f:partial( foo:ternary(), (1, 2, 3) )" />
-      </call>
-
-      <expect label="returns true()"
-              test="$x:result = true()" />
-    </scenario>
   </scenario>