transitive verb preferred, preferring
- to put before someone else in rank, office, etc.; promote; advance
- to put before a magistrate, administrator, court, etc. for consideration, sanction, or redress: to prefer charges against an attacker
- to put before something or someone else in one's liking, opinion, etc.; like better
- to give preference or priority to (a creditor, etc.)
Origin:
ME preferren < MFr preferer < L praeferre, to place before < prae-, pre- + ferre, bear