preferencyn.
/ˈprɛf(ə)rənsi/, /ˈprɛf(ə)rn̩si/, U.S. /ˈprɛf(ə)rənsi/ rare.
= preference n. (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [noun]
advantagea1393
prioritya1425
prerogativec1425
prestance1470
betterness1492
superioritya1500
majority1552
start1569
melioritya1586
precedence1587
superiorship1587
precedency1593
priory1600
preferency1602
preference1603
precession1613
betterhood1615
prestancy1615
eminence1702
superiorness1730
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > rise in prosperity, power, or rank > advancement or promotion of a person
furtheringc1000
vancement1303
advancementc1325
promotion?a1425
vauncingc1426
advance1440
furtherancec1440
preference1456
prefermentc1465
forwardness1591
preferency1602
motion1641
promoval1653
1602 T. North tr. S. Goulart Lives Epaminondas, Philip of Macedon 94 In the great there is no preferencie.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra ii. iv. 267 This is noted of Arrius,..that when Alexander was chosen Bishop of Alexandria, he envied him the preferency, and from thence sought occasions of Contention.
1714 E. Wells Help Understanding Holy Scriptures iii. 47 Seek not to be loos'd on the account of what I say concerning the preferency of a single life.
1954 Times 24 Dec. 10/1 Preferency and equity. The preference stock is strictly repayable at par and was quoted yesterday at about that figure.
1984 Guardian 5 Dec. 24/6 People demonstrate their class by their dress, their consumption preferencies and so on.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1602