Etymology dictionary. 2014.
prefer — 1. The inflected forms of the verb are preferred, preferring, but other derivatives have a single r (preferable, preferably, preference, preferential, preferment). 2. When the subject of prefer is the same as that of a following subordinate verb … Modern English usage
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
prefer — pre·fer /pri fər/ vt pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring 1: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference any preferred charges such as child support or alimony In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967) 2: to bring forward for determination; esp: to bring (a… … Law dictionary
prefer — [prē fʉr′, prifʉr′] vt. preferred, preferring [ME preferren < MFr preferer < L praeferre, to place before < prae , PRE + ferre, BEAR1] 1. to put before someone else in rank, office, etc.; promote; advance 2. to put before a magistrate,… … English World dictionary
prefer — 1 *choose, select, elect, opt, pick, cull, single Analogous words: accept, *receive, admit, take: *approve, endorse, sanction: favor, *oblige, accommodate 2 *offer, proffer, tender, pr … New Dictionary of Synonyms
prefer — [v] favor; single out adopt, advance, aggrandize, be partial to, be turned on to, choose, cull, desire, elect, elevate, fancy, finger, fix upon, go for, incline, like better, mark, optate, opt for, pick, place, pose, present, promote, propone,… … New thesaurus
prefer — ► VERB (preferred, preferring) 1) like (someone or something) better than another or others; tend to choose. 2) formal submit (a charge or information) for consideration. 3) archaic promote to a prestigious position. ORIGIN Latin praeferre bear… … English terms dictionary
prefer */*/*/ — UK [prɪˈfɜː(r)] / US [prɪˈfɜr] verb [transitive] Word forms prefer : present tense I/you/we/they prefer he/she/it prefers present participle preferring past tense preferred past participle preferred [never progressive] to like or want someone or… … English dictionary
prefer — v. 1) (D; tr.) ( to bring ) to prefer against (to prefer charges against smb.) 2) (D; tr.) to prefer to (she prefers fish to meat) 3) (E) we prefer to remain at home 4) (G) I preferred going to a concert 5) (esp. BE) (H; no passive) I d prefer… … Combinatory dictionary
prefer — pre|fer [ prı fɜr ] verb transitive *** never progressive to like or want someone or something more than someone or something else: Which do you prefer, the red or the blue one? prefer someone/something to someone/something: Even today, most… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
