would rather

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

A good mean to come the rather to grace.— Foxe.[1913 Webster]

2.More readily or willingly; preferably. [1913 Webster]

My soul chooseth . . . death rather than my life.— Job vii. 15.[1913 Webster]

3.On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead. [1913 Webster]

Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.— Mark v. 26.[1913 Webster]

4.Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat. [1913 Webster]

He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

5.More properly; more correctly speaking. [1913 Webster]

This is an art Which does mend nature, change it rather, but The art itself is nature.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

6.In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp. [1913 Webster]

The rather, the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause. [1913 Webster]

You are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Had rather, or Would rather, prefer to; prefers to; as, he had rather, 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. [1913 Webster]