[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. |
had rather
Also, had sooner. Would prefer. For example, I had rather you let me do the driving, or He'd sooner switch than fight. This idiom today is often replaced by would rather. [Late 1500s] Also see just as soon.