rather

rather
rather O.E. hraþor "more quickly, earlier, sooner," also "more readily," comparative of hraþe, hræþe "quickly," related to hræð "quick," from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (Cf. O.N. hraðr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative rathest fell from use by 17c. Meaning "more willingly" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "more truly" is attested from late 14c.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Rather — Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r; 277), adv. [AS. hra[eth]or, compar. of hra[eth]e, hr[ae][eth]e, quickly, immediately. See {Rath}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I. Chaucer …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rather — is a family name. It is also an adverb in the English language.Rather may refer to:* Dan Rather, news presenter * Elizabeth Rather, expert in the computer programming language Forthsurname …   Wikipedia

  • Rather — ist der Name folgender Personen: Rather von Verona (um 887 974), Theologe und Bischof von Verona und Lüttich Dan Rather (* 1931), US amerikanischer Journalist Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Rather — Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r), a. [Compar. of {Rath}, a.] Prior; earlier; former. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Now no man dwelleth at the rather town. Sir J. Mandeville. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rather — adv. 1) rather + inf. + than (she would rather play tennis than watch TV) 2) (colloq.) rather + clause + than (I would rather you stayed home than go out in this blizzard; she would rather you did your homework than watched TV) 3) rather + inf.… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • rather — adv. /radh euhr, rah dheuhr/; interj. /radh err , rah dherr /, adv. 1. in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat: rather good. 2. in some degree: I rather thought you would regret it. 3. more properly or justly; with better reason: The contrary …   Universalium

  • rather — adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick Date: before 12th century 1. with better reason or more propriety ; more properly < this you… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • rather — Synonyms and related words: OK, Roger, a bit, a little, a rebours, absolutely, acceptably, adequately, after all, again, against the grain, albeit, all right, all the same, alright, alrighty, alternately, alternatively, although, amen, arsy varsy …   Moby Thesaurus

  • rather — 1. adverb /ˈɹɑːðə,ˈɹæðɚ,ˈɹɑðɚ/ a) Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably. Id rather stay in all day than go out with them. b) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary …   Wiktionary

  • rather — adv. Rather is used with these adjectives: ↑absurd, ↑abusive, ↑academic, ↑afraid, ↑amazing, ↑ambiguous, ↑arbitrary, ↑ashamed, ↑awful, ↑bare, ↑barren, ↑bemused …   Collocations dictionary

  • rather — North Country (Newcastle) Words to have rather is a common north country expression (than would rather) …   English dialects glossary

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