Chapter Predominance to Prefix of P by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.

I would prefer him to a better place.

Shak.

4. To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; — often followed by to, before, or above.

If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Ps. cxxxvii. 6.

Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.

Knolles.

Preferred stock, stock which takes a dividend before other capital stock; — called also preference stock and preferential stock.

Syn. — To choose; elect. See Choose.

Preferability
(Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty) n. The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness. J. S. Mill.

Preferable
(Pref"er*a*ble) a. [Cf. F. préférable.] Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme. Addison.

Preferableness
(Pref"er*a*ble*ness), n. The quality or state of being preferable.

Preferably
(Pref"er*a*bly), adv. In preference; by choice.

To choose Plautus preferably to Terence.

Dennis.

Preference
(Pref"er*ence) n. [Cf. F. préférence.]

1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.

Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry.

Dryden.

Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's.

Locke.

2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?

Preferential
(Pref`er*en"tial) a. Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.

Preferment
(Pre*fer"ment) n.

1. The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference. [R.]

Natural preferment of the one . . . before the other.

Sir T. Browne.

2. The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion.

Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable preferment had been spared.

Macaulay.

3. A position or office of honor or profit; as, the preferments of the church.

Preferrer
(Pre*fer"rer) n. One who prefers.