PREFERENCE


Meaning of PREFERENCE in English

ˈprefər(ə)n(t)s, -frən- noun

( -s )

Etymology: French préférence, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens (present participle of praeferre to prefer) + -ia -y

1. archaic : preferableness , superiority

2.

a. : the act of preferring or the state of being preferred : choice or estimation above another : higher valuation or desirability

the passionate sincerity of artists and other intellectuals may still be warped by wishful preferences — H.J.Muller

b. : the power or opportunity of choosing

gave him his preference

3. : preferment , promotion

the navy … passed him over in preference — Taliaferro Boatwright

4.

a. : the legal right to prior payment of a debt (as the expense of administration of an insolvent estate)

b. : the payment without legal justification of a debt either in full or to an extent injuring other creditors entitled to be treated on a basis of equality (as under bankruptcy or insolvency laws)

c. : discrimination 4b

5. : someone or something that is preferred : an object of choice : favorite

which is your preference

6.

a. : the practice of giving one or more countries legal advantages over others in international trade especially by reduced tariffs — compare imperial preference

b. : an advantage given one customer above others

7. : the right given by a corporation's charter to one or more classes of stocks to receive a dividend before dividends may be paid on junior shares

8.

a. : a three-handed form of vint

b. : the act of bidding in bridge so as to show superior support for one of two or more suits bid by one's partner by a bid in the partner's first suit or by passing his second or third suit

Synonyms: see choice

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.