[pref.er.ence] n [ME preferraunce, fr. MF preferance, fr. ML praeferentia, fr. L praeferent-, praeferens, prp. of praeferre] (15c) 1 a: the act of preferring: the state of being preferred b: the power or opportunity of choosing
2: one that is preferred
3: the act, fact, or principle of giving advantages to some over others
4: priority in the right to demand and receive satisfaction of an obligation
5: orientation
2. "sexual ~" syn see choice