I. ˈrathə(r), ÷ˈrəth- also ˈräth- or ˈreth- or ˈrȧth- adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comp. of hrathe, hræthe rapidly, quickly
1. dialect chiefly England : more quickly : earlier, before
2. : with better reason or more propriety
pity rather than despise — Shakespeare
3. : more readily or willingly : preferably
my soul chooseth … death rather than my life — Job 7:15 (Authorized Version)
would rather starve than pick the garbage dump — Erskine Caldwell
— often used as an interjection to express decided affirmation
“Do you smoke?” “Rather!” — J.D.Beresford
4. : more properly or truly : more correctly speaking
rather like a dream than an assurance — Shakespeare
their inspiration or, rather , their idol
5. : to the contrary : instead
was no better but rather grew worse — Mk 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)
no longer a traveler's nightmare, rather his joy — Wyn Roberts
6. : in some degree : somewhat , quite
it's rather cold
a rather unusual gesture
rather a boring play
shaped rather like an onion
rather on the childish side
cost ten thousand or rather more
rather doubted the truth of the remark
•
- the rather
II. verbal auxiliary
: prefer to — not often in formal use
I rather sleep than eat