Rāth'er1, adv.
adv. [See supra.] Earlier; sooner. [Obs.]
2 entries under this word
Rather
Răth'er2, adv.
(Synop., § 130), adv. [A-S. radhôr, hradhôr, compar. of radhe, rädhe, quickly, immediately. See supra.]
Sense 1. By earlier choice; more readily or willingly; preferably.
My soul chooseth strangling and death rather than my life. Job vii. 15.
Sense 2. More so than otherwise; on the other hand; in some degree; to the contrary of what is just before proposed or said. “Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” Mark v. 26.
Sense 3. Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to the other; actually, though not markedly or decidedly; somewhat; moderately; tolerably.
He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain. Dryden.
Sense 4. More properly; more correctly speaking.
This is an art Which does mend nature, change it rather; but The art itself is nature. Shak.
The rather, the sooner; the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
You are come to me in a happy time. The rather for I have some sport in hand. Shak.
Would rather, or had rather, prefer to; choose to; desire by preference to. “I had rather speak five words with my understanding.” 1 Cor. xiv. 19.
☞ Had rather, had as lief, had better, originally mere blundering interpretations of the abbreviated form of would, as in I’d rather, &c., are forms too well supported to be stigmatized as incorrect; but would is generally to be preferred, especially where the auxiliary have follows, had have being too barbarous a combination to be tolerated.