| 释义 |
pre·fer
\R prēˈfər, prə̇ˈ-, + vowel -fər.; -R -fə̄, + suffixal vowel -fər. also -fə̄r, + vowel in a following word -fər. or -fə̄ also -fə̄r\ transitive verb
(preferred ; preferred ; preferring ; prefers)
Etymology: Middle English preferren, from Middle French preferer, from Latin praeferre to bear before, put before, prefer, from prae- pre- + ferre to bear, carry — more at bear
1.
a. archaic : to promote or advance to a rank or position
< has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish — Jane Austen >
b. archaic : to move ahead or set forward
c. obsolete : to help bring about (a result)
2. : to have a preference for : choose : like better : value more highly
< preferred to live abroad — Edward Shils >
< the rye grasses prefer cool and moist conditions — Farmer's Weekly (South Africa) >
< that peculiar taint of barbarism which makes men prefer occasional disobedience to systematic liberty — H.T.Buckle >
< preferred that excellence should thrive rather than be obscured by a many-voiced mediocrity >
3. : to give (a creditor) priority : pay (a creditor) before or rather than another
4. archaic : to put or set forward or before someone : offer, present, recommend, introduce
5. : to bring or lay (as a charge, complaint, or indictment) against a person
< preferred charges against him >
6. : to bring forward or lay before one for consideration, decision, or action : propose
< the young man seems to be preferring some request which the elder one is indisposed to grant — Ambrose Bierce >
7. : to show preference for (one of two or more card suits bid by one's partner)
Synonyms: see offer |