or rather

  • 21rather than — index in lieu of Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 22rather well — index fairly (moderately) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 23rather — O.E. hraþor more quickly, earlier, sooner, also more readily, comparative of hraþe, hræþe quickly, related to hræð quick, from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (Cf. O.N. hraðr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 24Rather you than me —   Rather you than me is an expression used when someone has something unpleasant or arduous to do. It is meant in a good natured way of expressing both sympathy and having a bit of a laugh at their expense …

    Dictionary of English idioms

  • 25rather — [[t]rɑ͟ːðə(r), ræ̱ð [/t]] ♦ 1) PHR PREP You use rather than when you are contrasting two things or situations. Rather than introduces the thing or situation that is not true or that you do not want. The problem was psychological rather than… …

    English dictionary

  • 26rather — predeterminer, adverb 1 (+ adj/adv) quite; fairly: I was rather surprised to see him with his ex wife. | He was limping rather badly as he walked off the field. | It s not too big for you at all. I rather like the way it fits you. | rather a big… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 27rather — rath|er [ ræðər ] function word *** Rather can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I m feeling rather tired. She s been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather enjoys telling other people… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 28rather — ra|ther W1S1 [ˈra:ðə US ˈræðər] predeterminer, adv [: Old English; Origin: hrathor more quickly ] 1.) fairly or to some degree ▪ I was rather surprised to see him with his ex wife. ▪ He was limping rather badly. ▪ My own position is rather… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 29rather */*/*/ — UK [ˈrɑːðə(r)] / US [ˈræðər] adverb, predeterminer Summary: Rather can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I m feeling rather tired. ♦ She s been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather… …

    English dictionary

  • 30rather — adv. 1) rather + inf. + than (she would rather play tennis than watch TV) 2) (colloq.) rather + clause + than (I would rather you stayed home than go out in this blizzard; she would rather you did your homework than watched TV) 3) rather + inf.… …

    Combinatory dictionary