3 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

prefer

verb

1: like better; value more highly; "Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels"; "We prefer sleeping outside"

2: select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative; "I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant"; "She opted for the job on the East coast" [syn: {choose}, {opt}]

3: promote over another; "he favors his second daughter" [syn: {favor}, {favour}]

4: give preference to one creditor over another [also: {preferring}, {preferred}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

preferring See {prefer}

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Prefer \Pre*fer"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Preferred}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preferring}.] [F. pr['e]f['e]rer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st {Bear}.]

1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl. --Pope.

Presently prefer his suit to C[ae]sar. --Shak.

Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high. --Byron.

2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass. [Obs.] ''Though maidenhood prefer bigamy.'' --Chaucer.

3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.

I would prefer him to a better place. --Shak.

4. To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed by to, before, or above.

If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. --Ps. cxxxvii. 6.

Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war. --Knolles.

{Preferred stock}, stock which takes a dividend before other capital stock; -- called also {preference stock} and {preferential stock}.

Syn: To choose; elect. See {Choose}.
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