Main Entry:

rath·er

Pronunciation:

\ˈra-thər, ˈrä-, ˈrə- also ˈre-; interjectionally ˈra-ˈthər, ˈrä-, ˈrə-\

Function:

adverb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick

Date:

before 12th century

1 : with better reason or more propriety : more properly <this you should pity rather than despise — Shakespeare> 2 : more readily or willingly : preferably <I'd rather not go> <would rather read than watch television> —often used interjectionally to express affirmation 3 : more correctly speaking <my father, or rather my stepfather> 4 : to the contrary : instead <was no better but rather grew worse — Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)> 5 : in some degree : somewhat <it's rather warm> —often used as a mild intensive <spent rather a lot of money>

— the rather

archaic : the more quickly or readily