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Definition of Rather
1. Adverb. On the contrary. "Used English terms instead of Latin ones"
2. Adverb. To some (great or small) extent. "He is kind of shy"
3. Adverb. More readily or willingly. "I'd sooner die than give up"
4. Adverb. To a degree (not used with a negative). "Quite rich"
Definition of Rather
1. a. Prior; earlier; former.
2. adv. Earlier; sooner; before.
Definition of Rather
1. Adverb. (obsolete) More quickly; sooner, earlier. (defdate 9th-19th c.) ¹
2. Adverb. Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably. (defdate from 9th c.) ¹
3. Adverb. (context: conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹
4. Adverb. (context: conjunctive) Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by '''or'''.) (defdate from 15th c.) ¹
5. Adverb. (context: degree) Somewhat, fairly. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹
6. Verb. (context: nonstandard or dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Rather
1. preferably [adv] - See also: preferably
Lexicographical Neighbors of Rather
Literary usage of Rather
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (1912)
"It is' not worth much and rather stops the action, which should now get to a
conclusion. A short interval here if desirable, or let the march be played ..."
Other Resources:
Welsh