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preferential

 [pref-uh-ren-shuhl]   Origin

pref·er·en·tial

   [pref-uh-ren-shuhl]
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of preference: preferential policies.
2.
showing or giving preference: a preferential hiring system.
3.
receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.
Origin:
1840–50; < Medieval Latin praeferenti(a) preference + -al1

Related forms
pref·er·en·tial·ism, noun
pref·er·en·tial·ist, noun
pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
non·pref·er·en·tial, adjective
non·pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
EXPAND
non·pref·er·en·tial·ism, noun
qua·si-pref·er·en·tial, adjective
qua·si-pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Preferential is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
preferential (ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl)
 
—adj
1.  showing or resulting from preference
2.  giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade
 
preferentiality
 
—n
 
prefer'entially
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

preferential
1849, from M.L. praeferentia, from L. praeferre (see prefer) + -al (1).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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