preferentiallyadv.
/ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃl̩i/, /ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəli/, U.S. /ˌprɛfəˈrɛn(t)ʃəli/ 1. In a preferential manner, by preference.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adverb] > in preference to something else > by preference
preferably1852
preferentially1858
1858 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 21 442 In Leeds alone 15,000 pairs of boots and shoes are made weekly, and are preferentially sent to every part of the known world, and in many places bespoken before they arrive.
1876 H. Fawcett Man. Polit. Econ. (ed. 5) ii. ix. 254 One-fourth of the shares were preferentially offered to the workmen engaged in the business.
1903 Contemp. Rev. Aug. 269 The dutiable imports..preferentially favoured had risen 55 per cent.
1964 Amer. Anthropologist 66 1269 The Tuareg social units are preferentially endogamic.
1995 Amer. Brewer Spring 26/2 The new fee system also treats established brewers preferentially.
2. Science. With a greater likelihood; to a greater extent or degree.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > in or to a greater degree or extent
moeOE
moreOE
furtherc1050
greaterc1230
furthermorea1300
heldera1400
largerlya1425
any more1533
farthera1535
furtherfortha1542
preferentially1864
worse1883
much more1912
1864 Anthropol. Rev. 2 20 The light [hair] colour is preferentially found among those inhabiting the coast.
1924 A. J. Allmand & H. J. T. Ellingham Princ. Appl. Electrochem. (ed. 2) xviii. 366 H· ions are preferentially discharged even from a very strongly alkaline solution.
1977 Sci. Amer. Jan. 39/3 The black hole will therefore preferentially emit particles with charge of the same sign as itself.
2000 J. Mann Murder, Magic, & Med. (rev. ed.) iv. 240 After infection, the virus binds preferentially to T4 lymphocytes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1858