PREFERENCE

noun Etymology: Middle English preferraunce, from Middle French preferance, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens, present participle of praeferre Date: 15th century 1. the act of preferring ; the state of being preferred, the power or opportunity of choosing, one that is preferred, the act, fact, or principle of giving advantages to some over others, priority in the right to demand and receive satisfaction of an obligation, orientation 2b , see: choice