Preference
['pref(ə)r(ə)ns] or ['prɛfrəns]
Definition
(noun.) grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties).
(noun.) the right or chance to choose; 'given my druthers, I'd eat cake'.
(noun.) a strong liking; 'my own preference is for good literature'; 'the Irish have a penchant for blarney'.
Typist: Pansy--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.
(n.) That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?
Typed by Chauncey
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Choice, election, selection, predilection.
Checked by Irving
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. A sentiment or frame of mind induced by the erroneous belief that one thing is better than another.
Typist: Psyche
Examples
- This establishes an order of preference, a greater and less, better and worse. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- True, said I, which, I suppose, accounts for her preference of Horace Beckford. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- In flute-like tones of sarcasm she said-- You can easily go after Mrs. Casaubon and explain your preference. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Adhere to that preference--never swerve thence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- You must not imagine that I believe there is at present any decline in her preference of you, Fred. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- I never had a _preference_ for her, any more than I have a preference for breathing. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- In practically all cells, the chemical method is used in preference to the mechanical one. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- After the parts are put together a thorough forging follows, either by use of hammer or press, the latter being now used in preference. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- One of those causes appeared to be the preference given, by the institutions of Mr. Colbert, to the industry of the towns above that of the country. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- All descriptions of food were no longer equally distasteful; she could be induced, sometimes, to indicate a preference. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Mrs. Grant, I believe, suspects him of a preference for Julia; I have never seen much symptom of it, but I wish it may be so. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Induced by these feelings, I was of course led to admire peaceable law-givers, Numa, Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- But you are always giving _her_ the preference. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- This modesty of mine directed my attention to the marine-store shops, and such shops as Mr. Dolloby's, in preference to the regular dealers. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- As against it, or as compared with it, the conscious ideas and preference of individuals are impotent. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Lastly, the aim of following nature means to note the origin, the waxing, and waning, of preferences and interests. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Now I remember, you were against me this morning, and were quite Miltonian and manufacturing in your preferences. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
Typist: Xavier