Library / English Dictionary

RATHER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

To some (great or small) extent

Example:

he is kind of shy

Synonyms:

kind of; kinda; rather; sort of

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

To a degree (not used with a negative)

Example:

quite rich

Synonyms:

quite; rather

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 3

Meaning:

On the contrary

Example:

used English terms instead of Latin ones

Synonyms:

instead; rather

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 4

Meaning:

More readily or willingly

Example:

I'd sooner die than give up

Synonyms:

preferably; rather; sooner

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

In addition, adipsin levels correlated with the amount of subcutaneous fat, which is stored just under the skin, rather than visceral fat, stored within the abdomen.

(New Potential Approach Found to Type 2 Diabetes Treatment, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Further experiments showed that bacterial vesicles directly affect HIV rather than cells.

(Vesicles released by bacteria may reduce the spread of HIV in human tissue, National Institutes of Health)

The red color of USDA Red comes from the phytonutrient betacyanin rather than the more common anthocyanin.

(World's First True Red Spinach Variety Released, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

This type of immune response involves mainly T cells rather than antibodies (which are made by B cells).

(Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity, NCI Dictionary)

A form of cutaneous mastocytosis that is characterized by a diffuse erythrodermic rash rather than the maculopapular infiltrates seen in URTICARIA PIGMENTOSA.

(Diffuse Cutaneous Mastocytosis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

“I shall not ride to-morrow, certainly,” said Fanny; “I have been out very often lately, and would rather stay at home. You know I am strong enough now to walk very well.”

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Any component associated with the anatomic structures in the head responsible for special sensations rather than general sensations, including the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue.

(Organ of Special Sense Part, NCI Thesaurus)

I shall certainly not write if you would rather I didn’t.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Artifacts that are produced when acquisition times are reduced and some signals are computed rather than acquired.

(Parallel Imaging Artifact, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent does not induce apoptosis but rather induces strong G(0)/G(1) arrest, which might contribute to its favorable efficacy in tumor cells.

(PI3K Inhibitor ZSTK474, NCI Thesaurus)