rather
• adverb 1 (would rather) indicating one’s preference in a particular matter. 2 to a certain or significant extent or degree. 3 on the contrary. 4 more precisely. 5 instead of; as opposed to. • exclamation Brit. dated expressing emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance. — PHRASES had rather literary or archaic would rather. — ORIGIN Old English, earlier, sooner .
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