preference English · revision 7886

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-15th century|origins=la praefero}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹ(ə)ns/, /ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹɛns/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|préférence]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Medieval Latin [[m|la-med|praeferentia]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from praeferens, present participle of [[m|la|praefero|alt=praeferre|t=to place before, carry in front]] (see [[prefer]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Advancement in position or status, promotion: the mid-15th century, as preferraunce;^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) this sense is now rare.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The act of preferring, or of being preferred, is from 1656 (the 1650s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the quality of being preferable, precedence, an obsolete sense of 1603.^(OED 1989) A prior claim, especially priority of payment of a debt, is from 1665.^(OED 1989) That which one prefers, the object of choice, is from 1852 in Etymonline and 1864 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A ''preference share'' is from 1890,^(OED 1989) and in preferential voting, an order of choice among candidates from 1908.^(OED 1989) In commerce, favour given to imports from particular countries is a further sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-15th century – advancement.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1656 – the act of preferring.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1665 – priority of payment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1852 – the thing preferred.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1890 – preference share.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[prefer|alt=preferring]] one thing over another, or the right to choose.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Someone or something preferred.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' Priority of payment given to certain creditors.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(commerce)'' Favour given to particular foreign countries in trade, as by lower tariffs.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonpreference]]

+ * [[preference share]]

+ * [[preference stock]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prefer]]

+ * [[preferable]]

+ * [[preferential]]

+ * [[preferment]]

+ * [[confer]]

+ * [[transfer]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}