Rather /(răth"ẽr)/

Rath·er

Rather

a.
  1. Prior; earlier; former. [Obs.]
    Now no man dwelleth at the rather town.
    — Sir J. Mandeville.

Rather

adv.
  1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.]
    Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I.
    A good mean to come the rather to grace.
    — Foxe.
  2. More readily or willingly; preferably.
    My soul chooseth . . . death rather than my life.
    — Job vii. 15.
  3. On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
    Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.
    — Mark v. 26.
  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.
  5. More properly; more correctly speaking.
    This is an art Which does mend nature, change it rather, but The art itself is nature.
  6. In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
    You are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand.