More readily or willingly; with better liking; with preference or choice. My soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life. Job 7:15. Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19; Psalm 84:10.

In preference; preferably; with better reason. Good is rather to be chosen than evil. See Acts 5:29.

In a greater degree than otherwise. He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, and no where finding, rather fear’d her slain.

More properly; more correctly speaking. This is an art which does mend nature, change it rather; but the art itself is nature.

Noting some degree of contrariety in fact. She was nothing better, but rather grew worse. Mark 5:26; Matthew 27:24. The rather, especially; for better reason; for particular cause. You are come to me in a happy time, the rather for I have some sport in hand. Had rather, is supposed to be a corruption of would rather. I had rather speak five words with my understanding. 7 Corinthians 14:19. This phrase may have been originally, “I’d rather,” for I would rather, and the contraction afterwards mistaken for had. Correct speakers and writers generally use would in all such phrases; I would rather, I prefer; I desire in preference.