also: だいぶ
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Describes a book, document, or written work that is long or has many pages. Often used with の to modify a noun.
Antonyms: 小部
彼は大部の小説を一晩で読み終えた。
He finished reading the lengthy novel in one night.
この辞書は大部で、持ち運びが大変だ。
This dictionary is voluminous and hard to carry around.
noun, adverb
most; greater part; fairly; much
Used as a noun or adverb to indicate a large portion or degree. As an adverb, it often means 'considerably' or 'quite'. Note that the adverb だいぶ (with the same meaning) is far more common and is usually written in kana.
仕事の大部はもう終わった。
Most of the work is already done.
この問題は大部難しい。
This problem is fairly difficult.
Compound of 大 (large) and 部 (part, section). The reading たいぶ is the standard on'yomi combination; だいぶ is a variant reading.