(obsolete) More quickly. / Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than) / (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

(nonstandard or dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to.

(obsolete) Prior; earlier; former.

(England, dated) An enthusiastic affirmation.

(nonstandard or dialectal) present participle of rather

simple past tense and past participle of rather

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of rather

plural of Rather

A surname.

A colorful analogy or descriptive phrase, characteristic of Dan Rather (born 1931), American journalist and news anchor.