adj prior; earlier; former.
2. rather ·adj earlier; sooner; before.
3. rather ·adj more readily or willingly; preferably.
4. rather ·adj more properly; more correctly speaking.
5. rather ·adj on the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
6. rather ·adj in some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
7. rather ·adj of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.