rather

Etymology

From Middle English rather, from Old English hraþor, comparative of hraþe (“soon, early, fast”), equivalent to rathe + -er. More at rathe. Cognate with Dutch radder (“faster”), comparative of Dutch rad (“fast; quick”), German Low German radd, ratt (“rashly; quickly; hastily”), German gerade (“even; straight; direct”).

adv

1. (obsolete) More quickly.
2. Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)
   I would rather stay in all day than go out with them.
   I would like this one rather than the other one.
   I would much rather be with you.
   I'd rather dance with you than talk with you / So why don't we just move into the other room 2004, Erlend Øye, Eirik Glambek Bøe (lyrics and music), “I'd Rather Dance with You”, performed by Kings of Convenience
3. (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
   It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.
   She didn't go along, but rather went home instead.
4. (conjunctive) Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)
   1898, J. A. Hamilton, "Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith", in Sidney Lee (Ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, Volume LIV: Stanhope–Stovin, The MacMillan Company, page 60, His ‘Iliad’ is spirited and polished, and, though often rather a paraphrase than a translation, is always more truly poetic than most of the best translations.
   I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
5. (degree) Somewhat, fairly.
   This melon is rather tasteless, especially compared to the one we had last time.
   We had some rather bad news today.
   We’ll be seeing rather a lot of you over the next few days.

verb

1. (nonstandard or dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to.
   Until just before the pie was popped into the heat. A few of them suddenly realized who put that gorgeous hunk of crackers together, and gaped. We grinned back, but very cool. The ones who knew said nothing, rathering to die than let on they had been hustled by two negative dudes. 1984, Bruce Brooks, The Moves Make the Man
   It was a plain brown dress, more or less the colour of my hair; and the walls of our kitchen being also brown, when I came downstairs again I could hardly be seen. I should have rathered a blue gown, or a violet one […] 2002, Sarah Waters, Fingersmith
   So you must excuse my saying anything I did: all it was, that up to the very last I had understood us all to be friendly — apart, that is, from his rathering me not there. How was I to know he would flash out so wicked? 2002, Elizabeth Bowen, The Heat of the Day
   "That was a killer," said Chris. "I'd rathered die in St. Bernard than spent one minute over there. I would have rathered the storm, shaking with the wind and rain hitting in the boat for an eternity than spending any time there. 2007, Mikel Schaefer, Lost in Katrina, page 323

adj

1. (obsolete) Prior; earlier; former.
   Now no man dwelleth at the rather town of Damietta. 1900, John Mandeville, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville (version in modern spelling)

intj

1. (England, dated) An enthusiastic affirmation.
   Would you like some? –Rather!
   "Do you mean to say, young man," she said frostily, "that you expect me to drink this stuff?" ¶ "Rather! Bucks you up, you know." 1919, P. G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves
   "Farewell, Daughter of Eve," said he. "Perhaps I may keep the handkerchief?" "Rather!" said Lucy, and then ran towards the far-off patch of daylight as quickly as her legs would carry her. 1950, C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
   "Some of us stupid old die-hards believe that there is yet room for pride in one's work, Pook," Mr Pants said with dangerous emphasis. "Oh, rather, sir. I'd much sooner walk to London Town than ride in one of those motorcars we've heard tell of, sir." 1967, Peter Pook, Banker Pook Confesses