rathere

Middle English

Alternative forms

• rathar, rathir, rathur, rathre, rether
• ræðer, hraþar, reaðere, redþer, rader, radder, radir, ratherne, raþeren (Early Middle English)

Etymology

From Old English hraþor, comparative of hræþe.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈraðər(ə)/, /ˈraːðər(ə)/, /-rə/

Adverb

rathere

1. comparative degree of rathe; more quickly, earlier
2. more easily; with greater ease
3. rather (on the contrary)
4. rather (preferably, in preference)
5. rather (more precisely, more accurately, more)
6. (rare) above, on top of (in a text)

Descendants

• English: rather
• Scots: rather
• Yola: rether

Adjective

rathere

1. comparative degree of rathe; quicker, earlier

Descendants

• English: rather (obsolete in this sense)

References

• “rāther(e, adv. comparative.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
• “rāther(e, adj. comparative.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.