I. conjunction
Date: 14th century
1. — used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish
rather than continue the argument, he walked away
chose to sing rather than play violin
2. : and not
obscures rather than resolves the problem
why do one thing rather than another?
happy rather than sad
II. preposition
Date: 1595
: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry