4. Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain,
And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain.
Dryden. 5. More properly; more correctly speaking.
This is an art
Which does mend nature, change it rather, but
The art itself is nature.
Shak. 6. In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
The rather, the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
You are come to me in happy time,
The rather for I have some sport in hand.
Shak. —
Had rather, or Would rather, prefer to; prefers to; as, he had, or would, rather go than stay. "I
had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
1 Cor. xiv. 19. See Had rather, under Had.
Rathripe
(Rath"ripe`) a. Rareripe, or early ripe. — n. A rareripe. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Such who delight in rathripe fruits.
Fuller. Ratification
(Rat`i*fi*ca"tion) n. [Cf. F. ratification.] The act of ratifying; the state of being ratified; confirmation; sanction; as,
the ratification of a treaty.
Ratifier
(Rat"i*fi`er) n. One who, or that which, ratifies; a confirmer. Shak.
Ratify
(Rat"i*fy) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ratified (-fid); p. pr. & vb. n. Ratifying (- fi`ing).] [F. ratifier, fr. L.
ratus fixed by calculation, firm, valid + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Rate, n., and -fy.] To approve
and sanction; to make valid; to confirm; to establish; to settle; especially, to give sanction to, as something
done by an agent or servant; as, to ratify an agreement, treaty, or contract; to ratify a nomination.
It is impossible for the divine power to set a seal to a lie by ratifying an imposture with such a miracle.
South.
