/ˈrʌðə/, U.S. /ˈrəðər/. rathern.
/ˈrɑːðə/, U.S. /ˈræðər//ˈrʌðə/, U.S. /ˈrəðər/. U.S. regional (chiefly southern and west Midland).
A choice, preference. Esp. in to have one's rathers and variants. Cf. druther v.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing as more desirable > a preference
preference1864
optation1874
rather1879
1879 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Aug. 232/2 Ef I had my ruthers, I ruther have Lucindy.
1898 Hartford (Connecticut) Daily Courant 19 Nov. 9/1 If I were an old soldier and had my rathers, I should like to sit in my faded old blue uniform.
1913 H. Kephart Our Southern Highlanders xiii. 283 ‘It matters not, so I've been told, Where the body goes when the heart grows cold; But,’ she concluded, ‘a person has a rather about where he'd be put.’
1935 Z. N. Hurston Mules & Men i. ii. 49 Her tongue is all de weapon a woman got... She could have had mo' sense, but she told God no, she'd ruther take it out in hips. So God give her her ruthers. She got plenty hips, plenty mouf and no brains.
1961 C. Himes Black on Black (1973) 46 If I had my rathers I'd make up my own band.
2000 W. Berry Jayber Crow 280 I would rather, if I had my rathers, not be seen doing it.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† ratheradj.
Obsolete.
1.
a. Earlier (of two persons or things); former.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > of two persons or things
oldeOE
ratherc1325
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5809 Seint Edward þe martir..was is sone Bi is raþere [a1400 Trin. Cambr. v.r. first] wiue.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Lev. xxv. 28 Þe biggere shal haue þat he bouȝte vnto þe Iubylee ȝeer; in þat forsoþe al byggynge shal torne aȝeyn to þe lord & to þe raþer hauere [L. ad possessorem pristinum].
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 29 The sarazaines maden another cytee..& clepeden it the new Damyete, So þat now no man duelleth at the rathere toun of Damyete.
1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) (1859) i. xvi. 17 In tyme of his rather lyf, he had space, and suffysaunt leyser ynow.
1484 Will of Sir William Taylour (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/7) f. 79v Wher as the body of Johanne my Rather wyf lieth enterid.
b. Previous or preceding (day, year, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > day or year
rathera1387
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 145 Þe trauail of þe raþer day [?a1475 anon. tr. the day precedenge] oþer þe feste of þat day.
1457–8 in E. Hobhouse Church-wardens' Accts. (1890) 99 (MED) Of John Stevyn and Wyllyam Colyngs of the Recete of the rayer yere, xj d.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 26 As þouȝe he had I-knowe hir al the rathir yeer.
2.
a. More generally: earlier (in temporal sequence); preceding another or others, occurring beforehand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]
ererc888
fernOE
oldOE
oldOE
formerc1160
ratherc1330
before-goingc1384
formerc1384
forenexta1400
formea1400
while1399
antecedentc1400
precedentc1400
anteceding?a1425
late1446
whilom1452
preceding?a1475
forne1485
fore1490
heretofore1491
foregoing1530
toforegoing1532
further1557
firster1571
then1584
elder1594
quondam1598
forehand1600
previant1601
preallable1603
prior1607
anterior1608
previal1613
once1620
previous1621
predecessivea1627
antecedaneous?1631
preventive1641
prior1641
precedaneous1645
preventional1649
antegredient1652
senior1655
prevenient1656
precedential1661
antecedental1763
past-gone1784
antevenient1800
aforetime1835
one-time1850
onewhile1882
foretime1894
erstwhile1903
antecedane-
ere-
c1330 Sir Degare (Auch.) 1017 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) 318 Sire Degarre..Armed him in riche atir..Þat þe maide him ȝaf..For whom he did raþer batail.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) John i. 30 Aftir me is comun a man which was maad bifor me; for he was rather than Y [c1384 E.V. the formere than I; L. prior me].
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 113v Y schal in parti declaren þat raþere diffiniscioun aforn rehersid.
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 131 Euery 15 degrees of distaunce estward, causeth the daye to be rather by one howers space.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 83 The rather Lambes bene starved with cold.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie clvi. 966 But we see one winter longer, and another winter later, and an other rather.
1620 Sir J. Davies Eccl., To W. Browne What? been thy rather lamkins ill-apaid?]
b. Primary, prior; of greater importance. rare.In quot. 1668 elliptical.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > more important
moreeOE
dominative1639
rather1657
important1894
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 278 A circumstance much encreasing the rather-probability of his greater Authority.
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 297 The midle words importing his rather right to S. Paul's obedience.
1668 S. Pepys Diary 10 Feb. (1976) IX. 60 A great blow either given to the King and presbyters; or, which is the rather of the two, to the House itself.
3. Preferable, better. Frequently followed by a to infinitive. In early use esp. in constructions with anticipatory it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adjective] > relating to preference > chosen in preference to others > worthy to be preferred
ratherc1384
preferable1606
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Macc. vii. 14 Rather it is [a1425 L.V. Wel the rather it is ned; L. Potius est], men ȝouen to deth of men, for to abijd hoope of God, beinge to be reysid aȝein eft of hym.
?a1425 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 238 It is raþer to bileue þe wageringe wiynd Þan þe chaungeable world.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 393 In such aventure, it were rather to truste to the conscience and discrecion of him..than [etc.].
1565 T. Stapleton tr. Bede Hist. Church Eng. v. xxii. f. 186 v I may well saye, that none is rather to be folowed and receaued of vs, than the very same, which he ware on his head, to whom Christ saied after he had confessed him to be the sonne of God. Thou arte Peter.
1603 T. Dekker et al. Patient Grissill sig. L2 Virgin maydens..set their hands to my bill, which is rather to dye a mayde and leade Apes in hell, then to liue a wife and be continually in hell.
4. Of earlier times. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > of earlier times
rathermorea1382
rathera1387
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 177 Þat vertue keled..so þat þe raþer welles beeþ now but lakes, oþer more vereyliche dreye chanels.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
ratheradv.
/ˈrɑːðə/, U.S. /ˈræðər/ I. Earlier, sooner, previously.† 1. the rather: (all) the more quickly, (all) the sooner. Obsolete.In some instances not clearly distinguishable from sense 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > earlier or sooner > the sooner
the ratherOE
the sooner1303
the sooner1763
OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Corpus Cambr. 41) 26 Dec. 5 Hi him micle þe reðran on wær[o]n and þe raþor hine oftorfod hæfdon.
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.i) anno 1009 [Hi] ða buruh raðe geeodon, gif hi ðe hraðor [lOE Laud þe raðor] to him friðes to ne gyrndon.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) 1767 Of me he habben scal goudne reæd bute ich beo þe raðer ded.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) 10803 Ȝif Ardur neore þe rader icumen, þenne weoren Houwel inumen.
c1300 All Souls (Harl.) 95 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 466 (MED) Me miȝte þurf Godes help þe raþere [?a1425 Julius sonnor] in ioye hem bringe.
c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) 431 Boute þow þe raþer hennes te, I schel þe greue!
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 26735 Þis men þat penis tas Draus tuin at ans witvten hon, þat þai þe raþer [a1400 Fairf. þe sonir] mai ha done.
c1450 (a1400) R. Lavynham Treat. Seven Deadly Sins (Harl. 211) (1956) 2 (MED) For þt same man scholde þe sunner se his owne seknesse, & be þe raþer euyl payd wt hym silf an oþer tyme þt he was so presumptuows.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxiiv Yf thou put a lytell tarre in his eye he wyll mende the rather.
1530 Thorpe's Examinacion sig. Ei The pilgrimage that now is vsed is..a good meane to come the rather to grace.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. vii. 62 When Duncan is asleepe, (Whereto the rather shall his dayes hard Iourney Soundly inuite him). View more context for this quotation
1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences 412 The sorer and heavier thy burden is, the rather shouldest thou come.
2. † b. With than. Obsolete.† c. Earlier, sooner (by a specified period of time). Obsolete.
a. Earlier, sooner; at an earlier time, day, etc. In later use English regional (south-western) and rare. †rather or later: sooner or later.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > earlier or sooner
would rathereOE
ratherOE
tittera1400
sandera1450
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > at some future time or one day
yeteOE
hereafter1154
hereafterwardc1386
sometimec1386
oncea1393
whiloma1400
rather or latera1450
one of these daysa1470
one day1477
umquhile1489
in timea1500
with time?1531
sooner or later1577
odd shortly1681
some summer's day1697
first or last1700
some of these (‥) days1831
someday1898
down the road (also track)1924
OE West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xx. 4 Se oðer leorningcniht forarn Petrus forne & com raðor to ðære byrgenne.
a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) 131 in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 167 (MED) A hwilke time se eure Mon of þinchþ his mis-dede, Oþer raþer oðer later, milce he scal imeten.
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 3149 Alfret..worþte þe laȝe an Englis alse he was raþer [c1275 ær] on Bruttus.
a1333 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 22 (MED) In þe þou bere þyn holy uader Þat mayden were after and raþer.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 55 Þe herte is maad rathir [L. prius] and..þe heed is maad aftir þe herte.
a1400 Prose Life Christ (Pepys) (1922) 69 He paied hem þat comen late raþer, & als mykel ȝaf hem as hem þat comen first.
a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Lamb.) (1887) i. 5629 (MED) Þe kyng..Raþer ne myghte þider wende; Bote atte seue nyghtes ende He com.
a1500 Partenay (Trin. Cambr.) 4011 (MED) It [sc. the world] goth vnto decline, Rather or later to an endly fine.
?1566 W. P. tr. C. S. Curio Pasquine in Traunce ii. b I sawe the Heauen and the Starres..neither rather or later to rise or go downe.
1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie vi. sig. H1v The continuance of hote & dry weather may cause them come somewhat rather.
1746 Exmoor Courtship 27 Why, the Quesson es [= the question I] put a little rather.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Rather, earlier; sooner in point of time.
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxv. 383 Iohannes wæs hraðor mannum cuð.., þonne Crist wære, for þan ðe he ne æteowde his godcundan mihte, ær þam ðe he wæs þrittig geara on þære menniscnysse.
c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) 3537 (MED) Be-fore þe twei kniȝtes he rak, Þat he com raþer to þe tresore Þan hii.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Tobit x. 11 Seen myne eȝen ȝoure sonys raþere þan [a1425 L.V. bifor that; L. priusquam] I die.
?1454 T. Howes in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 102 Yn case he know of it rathyr then ye.
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xxix. f. 245v The warke was finisshed, rather than a man myght beleue.
1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man iii. 208 Rather then her yeares required, she was..chosen Abbesse.
1659 J. Leak tr. I. de Caus New Inventions Water-works 32 As concerning the Vessel D it is necessary that it empty rather than E.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > earlier or sooner > a specific time
rather?1455
?1455–6 J. Fastolf in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 124 I had lever ye were at London a weke the rather and tym elyer [read tymelyer] then a weke to late.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 233 Playsed god that ye were arryued two dayes rather, For thenne ye had found my fader on lyue.
3. † b. Beforehand, previously. Obsolete. rare.
a. At an earlier time or date than that current or specified; formerly, previously. In later use English regional and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb]
erea822
fernOE
whileOE
erera1000
whilereOE
onceOE
somewhile1154
whilomc1175
herebeforec1200
somewhilesa1250
yorea1250
orc1275
rather?a1300
erewhilec1305
sometimea1325
sometimec1330
at or in sometime1340
in arrear1340
heretoforea1375
fernyear1377
once upon a timec1380
behinds1382
beforetimea1393
of olda1393
erenow1393
umquhilea1400
erst14..
fornec1400
yore whilec1400
of before1402
late1423
abefore1431
beforetimes1449
whilesc1480
sometime1490
aforrow?a1513
behind1526
quondamc1540
in foretime(s?c1550
erstwhile1569
erstwhiles1569
aleare1581
erewhiles1584
sometimes1597
formerly1599
anciently1624
olim1645
somewhile since1652
quondamly1663
forepassed1664
sometimea1684
backward1691
historically1753
time back1812
had-been1835
when1962
?a1300 Fox & Wolf 68 in G. H. McKnight Middle Eng. Humorous Tales (1913) 28 (MED) Þe þurst him dede more wo Þen heuede raþer his hounger do.
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 4650 He him ȝef þes womman; þat raþer was mi lemman.
?c1335 (a1300) Land of Cokaygne 120 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 148 (MED) Þe cristal turniþ in to glasse, In state þat hit raþer wasse.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 357 Þe latter Hercules, anoþer þan we spak of raþer.
a1402 J. Trevisa tr. Dialogus Militem et Clericum (Harl.) 25 (MED) How myche þanne wolde ȝe paye for to haue þe kynges socour & his helpe, as ȝe hadde raþer?
a1525 Eng. Conquest Ireland (Trin. Dublin) (1896) 130 (MED) The kynge..sent hym sone ayeyne keper of Irland, as he rather [a1500 Rawl. to-for] was sette.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates York xvi An other hoast, wherof I spake not rather.
1886 W. Barnes Gloss. Dorset Dial. Rather, lately; just now.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb]
erea900
beforeeOE
forec1000
toforec1175
therebeforec1200
toforehand1258
forne toc1275
orc1275
andersitha1300
alreadyc1300
rather?1316
beforehandc1330
erstc1330
aforec1350
theretoforea1375
aforehanda1387
forthwitha1400
forwitha1400
or?a1400
ereward14..
toforetimec1400
aforetimes1429
aforetime1433
afore seasons1463
heretoforetime1481
forouth1487
aforrow?a1513
beforrow1568
paravant1590
antecedently1593
formerly1596
precedently1611
preveniently1633
preallably1652
previously1655
precedaneously1657
somewhiles1657
antecedaneously1661
aft1674
prior1675
anteriorly1681
antecedent1690
previous1712
priorly1742
?1316 Short Metrical Chron. (Royal) 675 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës (1802) II. 298 (MED) The lordinges..the thef slowen anon, Ah rathere he woundede moni on.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 215/36 (MED) Oone man may not ouercome his enemys but yf he haue radyr ouercome covardy.
II. In senses suggesting priority, preference, contrast, or degree.
4. † b. Without the. Obsolete.
a. the rather: the more readily (for this reason); (all) the more. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [adverb] > more strongly or readily
the rathereOE
eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) xxxii. 73 [Þeah] þu [nu] hwæm fæger ðince, ne [bið hit no] þy hræðor swa.
OE King Ælfred tr. Psalms (Paris) (2001) iv. 5 Þeah hit gebyrige þæt ge on woh yrsien, ne scule ge hit no þy hraþor þurhteon, þe læs ge syngien.
c1200 Serm. in Eng. & Germanic Stud. (1961) 7 61 Ich wille heov mid lute vordes iseggen þet ȝe hit maȝen þe raþeren urdenstonden [read understonden].
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 84 Heie monnes messeger, me schal..makien him glede chere, & so muchel þe raðer [c1230 Corpus Cambr. nomeliche] ȝif he is priue mid his louerde.
?1387 T. Wimbledon Serm. (Corpus Cambr.) (1967) 81 How hast þou entrid..into þin offis?.. For it is to drede last þer ben manye þat desiren suche states þat þey may þe rapere [MS raþere] oppresse þilke þat þey hateþ.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 353 (MED) Þe moore þei forsake hemsilf þe raþir þei fynde me.
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 46v (MED) J þinke to ordeyne here a schort recapitulacioun of hem to maken hem come þe raþere to mynde & þe liȝtloker to be vndirstonde.
a1500 (c1447) in C. Monro Lett. Margaret of Anjou (1863) 93 We shall the rather for our said chapellein sake have you in tendre remembrance.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xliii The weight of the bowes shall cause theym to be the rather cutte downe.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 208 The true place of this conflict, should be Stouremouthe..in this Shyre, the rather for that it is deriued of ye mouth of the riuer Stoure.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 29 You shall finde them stirring in the morning or euening, and the rather in moist weather.
1632 in L. B. Taylor Aberdeen Council Lett. (1942) I. 361 And that so muche the rather that the delay..is of ane dangerous consequence.
?c1663 B. Whitelocke Diary (1990) 199 Wh[itelocke]..was..invited to eate with them, which he did the rather to find out how they stood inclined in the buisnes of the L[ord] Willoughby.
1710 Tatler No. 253. ⁋8 A Case..which I the rather mention, because both Sexes are concerned in it.
1766 S. Scott Sir George Ellison II. iv. vi. 219 This portion seldom failed of getting these maidens good husbands, and the rather as it was a testimonial of their good qualities.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 218 It ought not to be in the heir's power..to charge the lands..the rather because of the covenant [etc.].
1885 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche i. xx. 9 On earth he must maintain it as her son: The rather that his weapons were most fit.
1913 W. D. Howells Familiar Spanish Trav. iii. 50 I owe him this notice the rather because he almost alone did not beg of us in a city which swarmed with beggars.
ΚΠ
c1300 St. Michael (Harl.) in T. Wright Pop. Treat. Sci. (1841) 134 (MED) Swithere schet a manes soule..If hit is with-oute sinne, thane wey to the blisse of hevene; Wel rathere me mai to helle come.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 75 (MED) And þe ilke þet loue ledeþ he zekþ raþre and lesse him costneþ þanne him þet serueþ god be drede.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 26516 (MED) Þan sal it helpe þe Vte o þi sin raþer to rise To crist.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 19 (MED) It may be redde and knowe to exorte the pepill rathere to prey for me.
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1980) ii. 290 Ȝeue þu to euery man þat askyth þe, but mychil raþer and mychil mor ȝeue to Goddis seruant.
1584 J. Udall Peters Fall i. sig. D If men will not come neare me, because of my sinne, sure God will reiect me much rather, therefore it is best for me to amend.
1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. vii. 203 Why should not the Bull of Nicholas the second..be as advantagious..? why not much rather?
1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 19 If AB > BC, then shall be the angle C > A, which is against the Hypothesis. Wherefore rather BC > AB.
1746 J. Gill Expos. New Test. I. (Luke x. 35) 541 Rather the two Testaments, Old and New, may be designed, since they are both inspired by God, and dictated by the same Spirit, and bear the same impress.
1875 Harper's Mag. Nov. 864/1 If Disraeli..was at first coughed down as a failure, it was rather because he had overstudied his part.
5. Used with a descriptive distinction, qualification, or refinement: more aptly or correctly; precisely.
a. As a response to a previous statement: by contrast; on the contrary.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adverb] > more truly or correctly
rather1340
rather1460
better1526
to say better1536
rectius1575
ratherly1780
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 69 (MED) [They] naȝt ham nolleþ yhere; raþre, uor þet hi habbeþ yspeke, hi doþ þe more bleþelaker þe contrarye.
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 172v (MED) Þo medicines..be good oþere while forto restreine blood, & summe oþer medicines ben not so, but raþere þei exciten þe blood to passen oute.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 690 ‘I pray yow that ye for-yeve it me that I haue mys-don.’ ‘So helpe me god,’ quod the damesell, ‘rather shalt thou a-bye it full dere.’
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xxxiii. 17 The children off thy people saye..the waye off the Lorde is not right, where as their owne waye is rather vnright.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. 227 (margin) Whether this were Lysistratus the Sicyonian..I doubt much: thinking rather it was some other priuate man.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §632 There be Plants that haue their Roots very Hot and Aromaticall; And their Seeds rather Insipide; As Ginger.
a1628 J. Carmichaell Coll. Prov. in Scots (1957) No. 530 Few folk speirs to the fair wifes house bot rather to the gude.
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 40 Few of either Sex dare marry, But rather trust, on tick, t'Amours.
1703 J. Gilbert Church of England's Wish 239 [They]..should by no means insult over their Brethren overtaken in a Fault, but rather pity them and be concerned for them, having sorrow on their behalf.
1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 1 Say rather, that he loves all the world.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan 89 Always read as you would speak—or talk, rather—to the same people, upon the same subject, in the same place.
1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 112 We are therefore not entitled to treat the validity of the law as an independently thinkable fact..Rather it is simply the observed or expected fulfilment itself.
1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey (new ed.) i. 11 It is not poets who bring things to pass, but rather Zeus who pays out to men, the Makers, their fates at his whim.
1960 W. Golding Pincher Martin 36 The water was no longer cold but powerful rather.
2000 Oldie Dec. 16/3 My father was never a member of the Labour Party; rather, he was soaked in liberalism.
b. With than (Scottish nor; also †the rather).
ΚΠ
1405 in J. Slater Early Scots Texts (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinb.) (1952) No. 59 Yhe sulde..callys thaim rather brekaris of the trew than me.
?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 118 It were raþere almes to lordis to hire..þan to holde hem [etc.].
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 2908 Þe Romeyns were in poynt to pas; Til ther were a þowsand—rathir mo þen les—Men I-armyd cleen.
a1536 W. Tyndale Doctr. Treat. (1848) 390 A thing begun rather than finished.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxv This demaunde of his..rather maketh them afrayde of a counsell, than prouoketh them to it.
1567 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 578 Usurpand the rather the office of Princes nor liegis.
1602 J. Colville Parænese Ep. 65 Ve seme rether to be degenerat nor ingenerat of such parents.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote: Pt. 1 iii. xiii. 249 It is rather a poetical Endearment, than an approv'd Truth.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 102 The Inhabitants..build their dwellings, rather like stoves, then houses.
1705 Boston News-let. 9 Apr. 2/2 On the 12th. Instant the Weather was extraordinary Cold for the Season; the frozen Earth and Water, rather resembled February, than April: and on the 6th & 10th of this Month there were severe Frosts.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 49. ⁋3 Their Entertainments are derived rather from Reason than Imaginaryination.
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting I. ii. 31 The portrait..was rather a work of command and imagination than of authenticity.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. iii. 190 Her face..seem'd the face of sorrow Rather than of death.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. vii. 332 The new king, from levity rather than from reason, despised the disputes of theologians.
1888 T. Hardy Wessex Tales I. 44 The lanterns, which seemed rather to dazzle their eyes and warn the fugitive than to assist them in the exploration, were extinguished.
1954 I. Murdoch Under Net xviii. 245 Then I walked down the middle of the room, feeling rather than seeing the dark bulks of the iron bedsteads on each side.
1982 B. Chatwin On Black Hill xxx. 154 The twins never ventured out, rather from force of habit now than fear of the outside world.
c. Preceded by or. Used as a clarification or refinement to a previous statement: more precisely, to be accurate. Also †and rather (with comparatives).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adverb] > more truly or correctly
rather1340
rather1460
better1526
to say better1536
rectius1575
ratherly1780
1460 W. Worcester in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 204 Myn autorite is as grete as theris, and rather more.
1474 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 476 The iij horse..be delyueryd hym in as good and rather better plyght than whan I had them forthe.
1545 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Luke in Paraphr. New Test. (1548) f. 86 Nere about the summe of twelue or fiftene poundes sterlynge or rather aboue.
a1564 Q. Kennedy Breif Tracteit in 2 Eucharistic Tracts (1964) 126 It is to be considderit, or rather to be merualit.
1655 J. Howell 4th Vol. Familiar Lett. ii. 3 The Doctor by this oversight (or cunningnes rather) got a supply of money.
1687 A. Shields Hind let Loose iii. 365 This Man, or Monster rather.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 4. ⁋4 Thus my Want of, or rather Resignation of Speech, gives me all the Advantages of a dumb Man.
1796 R. Bage Hermsprong I. i. 25 Do you remember running, or rather staggering after a young woman whom you called your Statira.
1836 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (1837) III. xxiv. 386 You will find there are few, or rather none at all.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 118 Last night, or rather very early this morning.
1934 F. S. Fitzgerald Tender is Night i. vi. 40 So they talked shop or rather she listened while he talked shop.
2003 Gay Times Feb. 126/2 In Spain, people tend to bar-hop and there is no better place to hop (or rather stagger) than around the bars in the Yumbo Centre.
6. Used to modify a verb, adjective, adverb, etc., in degree. More (so) than not; more than anything else. Hence: in a certain degree or measure; to some extent; somewhat, slightly; (also) considerably, very much. In many instances it is difficult to determine whether the word is being used as a moderator or an intensifier. In spoken language, intonation may indicate this.
a. Modifying a verb. Used to suggest tendency or disposition.
(a) With a verb of thinking, fearing, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > somewhat
somedealc725
halfc1175
somewhatc1175
somethingc1275
little whatc1384
somedeallyc1400
measurablec1420
somewhatlyc1450
somewisec1450
somepartc1485
parta1500
something1548
rather1573
some1575
rathera1684
sunket1686
somethingisha1726
measurably1756
rather1770
rather1772
somec1780
sumthin1786
wee1816
sumfin1852
sumptin1852
measuredly1860
sumpin1889
part-way1954
ish1986
1573 in T. E. Bridgett & T. F. Knox True Story Catholic Hierarchy (1889) iii Whether I named any particular man or noe I cannot tell, but I rather thinke that I named none.
1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas xlii. 575 And surely I rather thinke, that they blessed Ionas in their heartes.
1611 A. Stafford Niobe 172 I put so great a difference betweene the ancient and modern papists, as that I resolue rather that the former are taken to mercy.
1709 E. Ward tr. Diverting Wks. 55 I rather think I have worn the Mourning for you than for the dead Man.
1792 T. Holcroft Anna St. Ives VII. Fragm. 194 These reasons made me rather resolve to persevere in fasting.
1835 J. Kent Private Corr. II. 387 I rather guess I shall like it.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 8 I rather think that you know him.
1952 A. Wilson Hemlock & After ii. i. 117 Only I rather fancy Mrs. Curry's a bit too smart for them.
1989 Sunday Times Mag. 23 July 66/2 I rather count on my daughters to buy me something nice for Christmas.
(b) With a verb of liking, disliking, enjoyment, displeasure, etc.
ΚΠ
?1781 C. A. Burney Diary ?24 June in F. Burney Early Diary (1889) II. 297 He's a droll quiz, and I rather like him.
1830 W. Scott Jrnl. 7 July (1946) 116 I rather like a flaw of weather.
1849 Illustr. Parlour Misc. 184 I rather dislike smoking, but I did not wish to appear strange.
1861 G. H. Kingsley in F. Galton Vacation Tourists & Trav. 1860 123 The deer, indeed, rather like the sheep.
1902 W. S. Maugham Mrs. Craddock iii. 28 She rather liked an occasional oath, it relieved the commonplace of masculine conversation in the presence of ladies.
1960 S. Halldén True Love, True Humour & True Relig. 76 Even Michelangelo, who rather hated sex, can't help filling the Cornucopia with phallic acorns.
1992 P. Auster Leviathan (1993) iii. 112 Sachs understood that she was playing with him, but he rather enjoyed the way she went about it.
b. With an adjective, adverb, or phrase.
(a) With an adverb or predicative phrase. Also: †before the modifying adverb somewhat (obsolete).
ΚΠ
1662 S. Pepys Diary 27 Dec. (1970) III. 295 With the new Roxalana; which doth it rather better in all respects,..then the first Roxalane.
1684 tr. A. O. Exquemelin Bucaniers Amer. ii. iii. 113 After two hours it [sc. rain] recommenced again anew rather harder than before.
1684 N. Crouch Delights for Ingenious 115 It some gross Imperfection In One (if not in Both) of them discovers. It was not Love which did between them grow; But, rather somewhat like unto the same.
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet i. 247 Apricocks, unless mellow, are rather somewhat styptick.
1775 N. Broughton Let. 2 Nov. in G. Washington Papers (1987) Revolutionary War Ser. II. 285 We shall hoist Sail directly the wind breasing rather favorably.
1783 W. Marsden Hist. Sumatra 296 The Battas are in their persons rather below the stature of the Malay, and their complexions are fairer.
1823 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Sept. 270 I'd got a smacking whifle over the sconce..and of course was rather somewhat weakish and light-headed.
1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. vi. 233 Our bed indeed is rather of the highest.
1880 F. D. Matthew Eng. Wks. Wyclif 114 If the tract be Wyclif's, we may date it rather before 1380.
1902 J. Conrad Typhoon i. 2 He was rather below the medium height.
1954 J. F. Kirkaldy Gen. Princ. Geol. xi. 130 Others, e.g. copper pyrites, are apt to tarnish rather easily on the surface.
1989 C. McWilliam Little Stranger (1990) xxix. 129 She looked simply rather enviably slim.
(b) With a predicative adjective.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > somewhat
somedealc725
halfc1175
somewhatc1175
somethingc1275
little whatc1384
somedeallyc1400
measurablec1420
somewhatlyc1450
somewisec1450
somepartc1485
parta1500
something1548
rather1573
some1575
rathera1684
sunket1686
somethingisha1726
measurably1756
rather1770
rather1772
somec1780
sumthin1786
wee1816
sumfin1852
sumptin1852
measuredly1860
sumpin1889
part-way1954
ish1986
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1675 (1955) IV. 60 He was very negligent himselfe & of a Philosophic temper..& was indeede rather negligent of his person.
1713 T. Hearne in Rel. Hearnianæ (1857) I. 282 These were rather later than the campagi.
a1766 F. Sheridan Concl. Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph (1770) IV. 65 It would be rather inconvenient to you at present to have your rent-roll scrutinised.
1799 J. Austen Let. 17 May (1995) 41 The Drawingroom window, at which I now write, is rather picturesque, as it commands a perspective view of the left side of Brock Street.
1850 C. Brontë Let. 12 June (2000) II. 417 I am rather curious to know how you have managed about a sleeping-place for yourself and Tabby.
1902 W. B. Yeats Let. 23 May (1994) III. 185 I am afraid I was rather dogmatic too.
1991 Past & Present Aug. 162 Daunton..craves new evidence, so let us provide him with some which is, arguably, both compelling and rather conclusive.
(c) With an attributive adjective.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > somewhat
somedealc725
halfc1175
somewhatc1175
somethingc1275
little whatc1384
somedeallyc1400
measurablec1420
somewhatlyc1450
somewisec1450
somepartc1485
parta1500
something1548
rather1573
some1575
rathera1684
sunket1686
somethingisha1726
measurably1756
rather1770
rather1772
somec1780
sumthin1786
wee1816
sumfin1852
sumptin1852
measuredly1860
sumpin1889
part-way1954
ish1986
1770 J. Norton Let. 21 Apr. in F. Mason John Norton & Sons (1968) 131 I believe my late illness have partly been occasion'd by a rather sedentary life.
1807 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) III. 40 The slenderest of our company was a rather well-featured young Frenchman..who had a livery Servant on the outside.
1831 Jrnl. Royal Inst. Great Brit. 2 65 The rather unsightly appearance of the standard kilogramme of Monsieur Fortin's making.
1880 F. H. Burnett in Frank Leslie's Pop. Monthly Feb. 245 He was amiably following her rather sharp lead in the game of hearts, but he was not showing his hand.
1918 C. S. Churchill Let. 29 Oct. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill Speaking for Themselves (1999) ix. 216 It is a rather awful spectacle, two great Empires cracking.
1953 Woman's Home Compan. June 69/1 Those rather vague designations, ‘small, medium, large’ and A, B, C, D.
1991 N. Wyn Ellis John Major vii. 217 At this rather smart restaurant Norma sat there munching her way through the prawns.
c. With a determiner.
(a) Preceding the indefinite article and an attributive adjective.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > somewhat
somedealc725
halfc1175
somewhatc1175
somethingc1275
little whatc1384
somedeallyc1400
measurablec1420
somewhatlyc1450
somewisec1450
somepartc1485
parta1500
something1548
rather1573
some1575
rathera1684
sunket1686
somethingisha1726
measurably1756
rather1770
rather1772
somec1780
sumthin1786
wee1816
sumfin1852
sumptin1852
measuredly1860
sumpin1889
part-way1954
ish1986
1772 Ann. Reg. 1771 ii. Nat. Hist. 88/2 Their flesh is black, and has rather a perfumed taste.
1778 G. L. Way Learning at Loss II. 163 His Appearance at the Baronet's must have been rather a silly one.
1803 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) I. 251 I wrote to him in rather a dehortatory strain.
1831 Examiner 11/2 It's rather a tight fit.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xii. 99 Poor little Amelia, with rather a sad wistful face.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 22 Apr. 4/3 This is rather a steep statement, even for a party that exists on credit.
1915 D. H. Lawrence Rainbow vii. 193 It was rather a delicate child, she had trouble to rear it.
1939 A. Christie Murder is Easy xv. 171 ‘I had to take rather a strong line with her,’ said Luke. ‘I fancy she thinks I'm a kind of super policeman.’
1969 Guardian 14 Feb. 11/1 Much of the time I feel like death. I am in rather a bad temper.
2001 A. Taylor Death's Own Door (2002) vii. 52 Rather a rough diamond, perhaps, but her bark is worse than her bite.
(b) Preceding an article and a noun. Used to suggest that the noun is a remarkable or notable example of its type.rather the thing: see thing n.1 7a.
ΚΠ
1788 M. Cutler Jrnl. 26 Sept. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) I. 429 The town is situated, very injudiciously, in rather a valley.
1816 J. Austen Emma III. v. 68 I am rather a talker; and now and then I have let a thing escape me which I should not.
1850 F. E. Smedley Frank Fairlegh xiii. 120 Is it my trap you're talking about?..rather the thing, is'nt it, eh?
1892 Daily News 31 Mar. 5/5 Ravachol..is rather a dandy, and affects nicely-laundered shirts.
1918 R. Aldington Let. 23 June in R. Aldington & H. D. Lives in Lett. (2003) 69 This letter will be in rather a hurry as I feel I'm sickening for ‘pyrexia’ wh: will put me to bed for a couple of days.
1938 E. Bowen Death of Heart i. ix. 165 He asked if I minded if we did not go out to anything, as he said he had had rather a day.
1967 A. S. Byatt Game (1983) v. 65 Rather a row has arisen.
2004 Evening Standard 5 Mar. (West End Final ed.) (ES Mag.) 48/2 Food in Lisbon can be rather a let-down.
7. British colloquial. Frequently with pronunciation
Brit. /ˌrɑːˈðəː/
. Used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance: ‘I should think so’; very much so; absolutely. Cf. quite int. N.E.D. (1903) describes the expression as ‘vulgar’. Now often associated with upper-class speech, and perceived to be somewhat affected or dated./ˌrɑːˈðəː/ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] > as an emphatic affirmative
absolutely1825
rather1836
a thousand times, yes1896
definitely1931
deffo1940
damn straight1964
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 218 ‘Do you know the mayor's house?’.. ‘Rather,’ replied the boots, significantly.
1844 A. R. Smith Adventures Mr. Ledbury I. iv. 45 ‘Do you know the young lady?’ ‘Rather!’ replied Johnson.
1885 A. Edwardes Girton Girl I. xiv. 280 Rather proud of my own accent... But Arbuthnot puts me in the shade, ra-ther.
1905 H. A. Vachell Hill i. 2 ‘You'll enjoy it—as I did—amazingly.’ ‘Ra-ther,’ said John.
1928 C. A. Nicholson Hell & Duchess ii. vi. 286 ‘May I give Audrey your blessing?’ ‘Ra-ther and my love.’
1933 J. Buchan Prince of Captivity ii. i. 153 ‘You've heard Kenneth speak of him.’ ‘Rather. I want to meet him.’
1975 Listener 10 Apr. 472/2 The producer had..prevented the willing son in the parable from saying ‘Yes, ra-ther, Dad,’ when asked to get on with the ‘allotment’.
1991 Blitz Sept. 13/1 Having said that, he willingly admits to a penchant for masturbation. ‘Oh, rather! I like to twang the one-string bass as much as the next man.’
III. In senses denoting prior eligibility, preference, or choice.
8. Sooner (as a matter of choice); more readily or willingly; with greater liking or goodwill; in preference.
a. Used to express choice between two courses of action, or preference for one outcome or event over another. Frequently with would.In sentences of this type rather is placed either before the verb or clause expressing the action or event preferred, or immediately before than. For the use of to after than, see than conj. 1a.
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1881) I. 188 Se casere..wiste þæt seo dohtor, þe drihten hæfde gecoren, hraðor wolde sweltan þonne ceorlian.
c1300 St. Margarete (Harl.) 108 in O. Cockayne Seinte Marherete (1866) 27 (MED) Ic wole þane deþ afonge..Raþer þan to abowe adoun myn heued ȝoure false godes to aloute.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 9419 Þe deserites gonne chese, Raþer þan to lese hor lond, hor lif þere to lese.
c1390 Castle of Love (Vernon) (1967) 195 (MED) Raþure he dude his wyues bode Þen he heold þe heste of Gode.
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 137 (MED) I asked hem ȝif it had not ben better to haue ȝouen þat releef to pore men rathere þan to þo bestes.
1551 R. Crowley Pleasure & Payne sig. Div Rather let your leases go Then they shoulde worke you endelesse woe.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 58 To infirm and adnull his awin cause rather than to strenthe the samin.
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 35 To blurre over, rather then to mention that publick triumph.
1675 Earl of Essex Lett. (1770) 199 I will rather suffer myself to be made a pack-horse than bear other mens faults.
a1692 ( in J. Stevenson Lett. & Papers Illustr. Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 457 They..wolde rather that the paix were letted thanne he shulde be delivered and come hoome.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 261. ¶8 We love rather to dazzle the Multitude, than consult our proper Interests.
1788 F. Burney Diary 29 Nov. (1842) IV. 342 They would rather have died than refused.
1812 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 175 A choice to fight two enemies at a time, rather than to take them by succession.
1885 Manch. Examiner 30 Dec. 5/3 Any man who resigns a great office in the State rather than act in opposition to the dictates of his judgment.
1931 A. Uttley Country Child xii. 158 She would far rather be on her high hill among her own treasures than down there in the valley, with the great ones of the earth.
1995 Wired June 194/3 Rather than push their product into the marketplace quickly..the Xanadu programmers intended to produce their revolution ab initio.
b. Used to express choice between two things, people, qualities, conditions, etc. Also †no rather, †more rather.
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 241 Magis hoc uolo, quam illud, swyðor oððe hraðor ic wylle þis, þonne ðæt.
?c1335 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 108 Whi com he raþer to Eue Þan he com to Adam.
1397 Rolls of Parl. III. 379/1 I trowe rather ȝe than nay.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. x. 123 He reuerenceþ hym ryght nouht, no raþer [v.r. more] þan anoþer.
a1425 (?1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 380 Þo blynde puple..wil raþer gif to waste housis of freris þen to parische chirchis.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iii. 1052 (MED) Chese a boor Gret bodied..ek rather rounde Then longe.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 6 (MED) Þei chese raþer to be grete than meke.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. viv Nowe he would gratifie no man more rather than hym.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. viii. 3 Death shall bee chosen rather then life. View more context for this quotation
1673 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd II. 399 I cannot but gratulate my good fortune rather than my wisdom, that I have travelled such an Author through with no more extravagancy.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 6. ⁋1 This unhappy Affectation of being Wise rather than Honest.
1792 R. Bage Man as he Is II. xxxi. 65 I have therefore concluded you had a mind which rested its happiness on private virtue rather than public splendor.
1815 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 77 471 Laurelled rather than excellent in funeral eulogy.
1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters IV. 332 Painting cheeks with health rather than rouge.
1902 W. S. Maugham Mrs. Craddock vii. 69 Bertha had learnt something of music in lands where it is cultivated as a pleasure rather than as a duty.
2003 Estates Gaz. (Nexis) 25 Oct. 102 The Square Mile remains the natural habitat of the pinstripes rather than Prada.
c. Without than, in contrast to a preceding (sometimes implied) assertion. Used to indicate an alternative course of action, state of affairs, etc. Also the rather (rare), but rather.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adverb] > in preference to something else
ratherc1300
heldera1400
tittera1400
ererc1425
soon1457
rathest1556
would rather1557
first1580
preferablya1645
choosingly1651
preferable1683
ruther1809
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 1967 Raþir ich wolle þe slean mid mine spere.
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 134 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 110 (MED) Heo seide heo wolde raþer tuyrne aȝen In-to hire owene londe.
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) 2324 (MED) I nam no þef To breke mi treuþe oȝain mi lord; Raþer ich wald hing bi a cord.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. iv. 5 But resoun rede me þer-to, rather [c1400 A text erst; v.rr. leuere, first] wil I deye.
c1450 King Ponthus (Digby) in Publ. Mod. Lang. Assoc. Amer. (1897) 12 5 He said..‘Ye muste beleve on Mahounde or elles ye muste dye;’ And thei answeryd their wold not, bot rather to dye.
a1500 (a1470) in C. Monro Lett. Margaret of Anjou (1863) 125 Ye..wol not applie you..unto the said mariage..but rather induce yor said doghter to the contrarye.
1596 T. Danett tr. P. de Commynes Hist. viii. xiv. 361 There died Monsieur de Montpensier himselfe, some say of poyson, others of an ague, which I rather beleeue.
1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §liiii I had rather to see a plot lesse faire, and more yeilding.
1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent iv. i. 47 I cou'd ev'n wish, we rather had been wreckt.
1792 J. Belknap Foresters xv. 197 Some persons are of the mind that it is not best to seek these beasts in their dens, but rather to guard the fields and take care of the poultry at home.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci i. i. 7 Which now delights me little. I the rather Look on such pangs as terror ill conceals.
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 122 I do not now commiserate the parents of the dead who stand here; I would rather comfort them.
1912 Pop. Sci. Monthly Apr. 320 The process has..not been checked. It is the rather to be feared that it has gone forward with a quickened pace.
1989 L. Kennedy On my Way to Club iii. 66 He had a habit of digging things out of me I would rather have left unsaid.
d. had rather: would rather; (see have v. 47c). †Hence to have rather (rare): to choose or prefer..rather.The infinitive after had or have is sometimes preceded by to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > choose in preference to others
have1340
prefera1393
to have rather1478
fain1483
prelect1620
dextralize1651
antepone1656
savour1714
preference1904
1478 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 381 I had rathere þat ȝe neuer maryd in your lyffe.
?c1500 in R. H. Robbins Secular Lyrics 14th & 15th Cent. (1952) 217 Yett haid I rether dye for his sake.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. 157 He had rather they had bene taken prisoners.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Ai Bicause I had be good then wise rather.
1595 T. Bedingfield tr. N. Machiavelli Florentine Hist. vi. 155 Which if we be not able to defend, then haue we rather to submit our selues to anie other Prince then to thy selfe.
1667 Earl of Orrery Coll. State Lett. (1743) II. 311 I had much rather to do it than say it.
1685 tr. B. Gracián y Morales Courtiers Oracle 18 To have rather be indifferent in a sublime employment, than excellent in an indifferent, is a desire rendred excusable by Generosity.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 114 Our Men had much rather the Weather had been calm.
1774 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1862) 2nd Ser. II. 36 I had rather hear it than any of their modern Operas and Consorts.
1819 P. B. Shelley Ess. & Lett. (1852) II. 155 I had rather err with Plato than be right with Horace.
1875 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera V. lv. 189 I had rather come and draw the cart.
1901 W. James Mem. & Stud. (1911) vii. 150 With all these things, infected by their previous mystery-mongering discoverers, even our best friends had rather avoid complicity.
1959 M. Spark Memento Mori viii. 116 Mrs. Pettigrew had rather worked alone, but the heavy costs deterred her.
1988 I. Colegate Deceits of Time (1990) 18 I had rather the woods were filled with laughing nymphs and shepherds than that those young heads were stuffed barren facts.
e. would rather: would rather have or choose.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adverb] > in preference to something else
ratherc1300
heldera1400
tittera1400
ererc1425
soon1457
rathest1556
would rather1557
first1580
preferablya1645
choosingly1651
preferable1683
ruther1809
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes 96 I woulde rather one onely day of lyfe then all the ryches of Roome.
1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §xlix I would rather never to haue light, then not to haue it alwayes.
1675 R. Burthogge Cavsa Dei 99 The Parent..who would rather than the better part of his estate..he could reclaim and turn him.
a1727 W. Pattison Cupid's Metamorph. (1728) 35 O! could I hide the Wish I fear to name! Would rather kinder Fortune guide my Flame!
1792 F. Reynolds Notoriety ii. 24 I would rather he'd have can'd me than nobody.
1850 Punch 18 197/2 I would rather a good dinner than a bad one.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. xvii. 262 I would rather a nurse broke one of my children's limbs, than thus poisoned its fair young mind.
1939 P. Gallagher My Story 54 I would rather her stories than my father's.
1998 M. J. Lanning Delivering Profitable Value ii. 52 Some smokers would rather a cigarette associated with a tough, masculine, independent cowboy who lives with his horse, riding through the rain in the desert.
f. In contracted form, I'd (also you'd, etc.) rather: I (you, etc.) would rather.In this form of the phrase, would and had are morphologically and semantically indistinguishable as the intended verb.
ΚΠ
1601 R. Yarington Two Lamentable Trag. sig. C2v Ide rather choose to feede on carefulnesse..Then condiscend to offer violence.
1620 I. C. Two Merry Milke-maids iv. i. sig. K3v I'd rather you wud let it alone, vnlesse you had a finer handkercher.
1685 H. Bold & W. Bold tr. in Latine Songs xix. 66 I'd rather both your eyes were out.
1710 Don Francisco Sutorioso 17 [He] swore, She was so ugly, He'd rather with the Devil's Pug lye.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. 158 Can'st thou not stab me to the Heart? I'd rather thou wouldst, than say such another Word!
1796 F. Burney Camilla IV. viii. x. 376 She thinks so well of my son, that I'd rather he'd have her than an empress.
1825 J. K. Paulding John Bull in Amer. xv. 263 I'd rather a man would cut off my head at once, than spit in my face.
1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South II. iii. 32 I'd rather think yo' a fool than a knave. No offence, I hope, sir.
1876 F. H. Moore Mistress Haselwode II. v. 88 I'd rather a steady fire; these quick flames do burn them out by sheer fury.
1935 H. Heslop Last Cage Down i. v. 51 We'd rather you settled amicably, if that's what you mean.
1970 A. J. P. Taylor Let. 2 Nov. in Lett. to Eva (1991) 19 I'd rather sit down over a good meal than go to the theatre.
2002 ‘N. Roberts’ Face Fire xviii. 313 I'd rather a storm than rain. We haven't had enough storms this summer.
g. rather you (also him, her, etc.) than me(and variants): ‘I'm glad it's you (him, her, etc.) and not me’ (used to express relief at not being in the situation of the person referred to). Cf. soon adv. 10b.
ΚΠ
a1835 J. Hogg Tour Highlands (1888) 113 They have a terrible sea to fish on, and as terrible a shore to land upon. I could not avoid the old proverb, ‘Rather them as me’.
1858 A. Manning Year Nine xix. 243 Rather you than me, on a January night!
1909 ‘L. Malet’ Score 162 Rather you than me, anyhow, my volcanic young friend, on board that death-distributing, space-devouring projectile!
1992 B. Roche Belfry i, in Wexford Trilogy 145 Rather her than me then Father because there's no pleasin' that woman.
h. South African. Expressing a recommended alternative but without a than clause, and used with verbs other than would: instead.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > [adverb]
in his steadc1230
in one's room1489
in the steada1525
by substitute1597
in lieu1599
instead1667
vicariously1868
rather1967
1967 L. Marquard in M. Marquard Lett. Boer Parsonage vi. 84 (note) He sent his sugar ration to the Parsonage with the message that the moruti's children should rather have the sugar since his own children were older.
1973 Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth) 16 June 8 As the session drew to a close..everyone was fiercely denying ‘toenadering’, or should I rather use the new ‘in’ term ‘consensus’.
1992 Natal (Pietermaritzburg, S. Afr.) Witness 4 Jan. 5 Pietermaritzburg folks..should rather be encouraging Durbanites to think big about the numbers which are stretching their resources.
2014 Mail & Guardian (S. Afr.) (Electronic ed.) 7 Mar. They were telling the security that they weren't stealing gold, they had stolen cable and that they should call the police rather.
9. † b. As against, to the exclusion of, the other. Obsolete. rare.
a. Sooner (as a matter of fitness, expediency, etc.); with more propriety or advantage; with better reason or ground; more properly or justly. With than.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [adverb] > more truly or justly
rathera1200
indeed1596
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 213 (MED) He sholde..raðer helden hit ut þene men þermide fordrenchen.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds iv. 19 If it be riȝtful in the siȝt of God for to heere ȝou rathere than [L. potius..quam] God, deme ȝe.
?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 376 Raþer þan þu schuldist be ocupied þerewiþ, þu schalt renne awai þer-fro.
a1500 J. Mirk's Festial (Harl. 2247) (1981) 59 (MED) More rather then to þe commyng of a kyng of blisse..we must aray þe house of our soules with virtue.
?1573 L. Lloyd Pilgrimage of Princes f. 173 Therefore I deserue rather death than hee.
1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ix. 263 Why they should rather submit themselves..to that See..then to any other Patriarchate.
1680 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. i. xi. §127 'Tis rather to be thought, that an heir had no such Right by divine institution, than that God should give such a Right.
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. 244 As honour is in honourance, in him that honours rather than in him that is honoured.
a1756 E. Haywood New Present (1771) 256 Soft water should be used rather than hard.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVII. 405/1 In an observatory it is always desirable that a clock should..be slow rather than fast.
1896 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. I. 528 A term..to be avoided rather than recommended.
1927 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 23 Mar. 8/6 It did not seem to him that they could recommend the giving up of the farm, they should rather say the discipline should be looked after.
1988 Mind 97 590 What Pettit calls a ‘desire-belief’ would not deserve the name ‘desire’ or ‘belief’, but ought rather to be called a ‘quasi-belief’.
ΚΠ
1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties i. f. 34v Semblablie fare thei, who woulde striue together, whether of them should rather rule the commonweale.
10. Followed by or (or conj.2 3). Cf. senses 5b and 8a. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
ΚΠ
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vi. 1307 (MED) For rathere er he scholde faile, With Nigromance he wole assaile To make his incantacioun.
1432 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 20 (MED) To amend ye defawtes in ye said brigges..rather or ye brygges forsayde falle.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 185 (MED) Rathir shalle the sowle parte from my bodye or I lese hit.
1527 R. Wakefield Let. in Kotser Codicis (?1533) sig. Pivv I had rather to dye a thousand tymes or suffer it.
1591 R. Bruce Serm. (1843) 259 Rather or they rendered this geir, they will hazard both body and soul.
a1650 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1844) V. 256 He prayed that the Lord would compell the king by his sanctified plagues to turne him rather er he perish.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1879
adj.c1325
adv.eOE