[adv. rath
-er, rah-ther; interj. rath-ur, rah-thur] 
| 1. | in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat: rather good. |
| 2. | in some degree: I rather thought you would regret it. |
| 3. | more properly or justly; with better reason: The contrary is rather to be supposed. |
| 4. | sooner; more readily or willingly: to die rather than yield. |
| 5. | more properly or correctly speaking; more truly: He is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist. |
| 6. | on the contrary: It's not generosity, rather self-interest. |
| 7. | rather than, instead of: Tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers. Rather than complain, you should try to make changes. |
| 8. | Chiefly British. emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt: Is the book worth reading?Rather! |
| 9. | had or would rather, to prefer that or to: I had much rather we not stay. We would rather go for dinner after the show. |
[wood; unstressed wuhd] | 1. | a pt. and pp. of will 1 . |
| 2. | (used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow. |
| 3. | (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind? |
| 4. | (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm. |
| 5. | (used to express an intention or inclination): Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains. |
| 6. | (used to express a wish): Would he were here! |
| 7. | (used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty. |
| 8. | (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility): They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate. |
| 9. | would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference): I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all. |
| 10. | would like, (used to express desire): I would like to go next year. |
| 11. | would rather. rather (def. 8). |
would rather
Prefer to, as in We would rather eat dinner before the movie. [Mid-1500s]
