He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.
--Pope.
Presently prefer his suit to C[ae]sar. --Shak.
Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.
--Byron.
2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to
surpass. [Obs.] ``Though maidenhood prefer bigamy.''
--Chaucer.
3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as
to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote;
as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.
I would prefer him to a better place. --Shak.
4. To set above or before something else in estimation,
favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to
hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed
by to, before, or above.
If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. --Ps.
cxxxvii. 6.
Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.
--Knolles.
{Preferred stock}, stock which takes a dividend before other
capital stock; -- called also {preference stock} and
{preferential stock}.
Syn: To choose; elect. See {Choose}.