prefer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.

   I prefer tea to coffee.

2. 2
   verb

   To advance, promote (someone or something).

   So ſhall you haue a ſhorter iourney to your deſires, by the meanes I ſhall then haue to preferre them. And the impediment moſt profitably remoued, without the which there were no expectation of our proſperitie.

3. 3
   verb

   To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").

   […], let him go, And preſently preferre his ſuite to Cæſar.

4. 4
   verb

   To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).

   one Master David Hume, who making some use of his purse, gave him Letters to his friends in Scotland to preferre him to King Iames.

5. 5
   verb

   select as an alternative over another

6. 6
   verb

   like better

7. 7
   verb

   promote over another

8. 8
   verb

   give preference to one creditor over another

Etymology

From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō. Displaced native Old English foresettan and foreberan. Doublet of prelate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as collate and confer among others.