pre|fer

pre|fer «prih FUR», verb, -ferred, -fer|ring.

–v.t.

1. to like better; choose rather: »

She prefers reading to sewing. He prefers golf as a sport, but I prefer to swim rather than golf. My students preferred fiction over history. We would prefer that they draw their own conclusions.

2. to put forward; present: »

to prefer a claim to property. The policeman preferred charges of speeding against the driver.

3. to advance; promote: »

The captain was preferred to the rank of major.

4. Law. to give preference to, as a creditor.

–v.i.

to have or express a preference: »

I will come later, if you prefer.

╂[< Old French preferer, learned borrowing from Latin praeferre < prae- before + ferre to carry]

–pre|fer´rer, noun.