2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Prefer \Pre*fer"\, v. t. [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}.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
preferred
adj 1: more desirable than another; "coffee is preferable to tea";
"Danny's preferred name is 'Dan'" [syn: {preferable}]
2: preferred above all others and treated with partiality; "the
favored child" [syn: {favored}, {favorite(a)}, {favourite(a)},
{pet}]
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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
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