transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈra-thər, ˈrä-, ˈrə- also ]
ˈre-; interjectionally ˈra-ˈthər, ˈrä-, ˈrə- adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick
Date: before 12th century
1. : with better reason or more propriety : more properly
this you should pity rather than despise — Shakespeare
2. : more readily or willingly : preferably
I'd rather not go
would rather read than watch television
— often used interjectionally to express affirmation
3. : more correctly speaking
my father, or rather my stepfather
4. : to the contrary : instead
was no better but rather grew worse — Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)
5. : in some degree : somewhat
it's rather warm
— often used as a mild intensive
spent rather a lot of money
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- the rather