1.The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference. "Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry." "Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's."
2.That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?
...