PREFERRING
PREFER
choose, prefer, opt
(verb) select as an alternative over another; “I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant”; “She opted for the job on the East coast”
prefer
(verb) like better; value more highly; “Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels”; “We prefer sleeping outside”
prefer, favor, favour
(verb) promote over another; “he favors his second daughter”
prefer
(verb) give preference to one creditor over another
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Verb
preferring
present participle of prefer
Noun
preferring (plural preferrings)
A preference; the choice of something preferred.
Source: Wiktionary
PREFER
Pre*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.]
Etym: [F. préférer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear or
carry. See 1st Bear.]
1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to
bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to
present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request,
prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.
He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl. Pope.
Presently prefer his suit to Cæsar. Shak.
Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high. Byron.
2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.
[Obs.] "Though maidenhood prefer bigamy." Chaucer.
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition