1.Earlier; sooner; before. (Obs.) "Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I." "A good mean to come the rather to grace."
2.More readily or willingly; preferably. "My soul chooseth... death rather than my life."
3.On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead. "Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse."
4.Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat. "He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain."
5.More properly; more correctly speaking. "This is an art Which does mend nature, change it rather, but The art itself is nature."
6.In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
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