Word Origin & History
ratherO.E. hraþor "more quickly, earlier, sooner," also "more readily," comparative of hraþe, hræþe "quickly," related to hræð "quick," from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (cf. O.N. hraðr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative rathest fell
EXPANDfrom use by 17c. Meaning "more willingly" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "more truly" is attested from c.1380.
COLLAPSE