— preferredly /pri ferr"id lee, -ferrd"lee/ , adv. — preferredness , n. — preferrer , n.
/pri ferr"/ , v.t., preferred, preferring .
1. to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken.
2. Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
3. to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.
4. to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote: to be preferred for advancement.
[ 1350-1400; ME preferre praeferre to bear before, set before, prefer, equiv. to prae- PRE- + ferre to BEAR 1 ]
Syn. 1. favor, fancy. See choose. 3. offer, proffer, tender.
Ant. 1. reject. 3. retract.