Webster's English Dictionary

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rather

rath.er \'rath-*r, 'r*th-, 'ra:th-; interjectionally (\ av [ME, fr. OE 
   hrathor, compar. of hrathe quickly; akin to OHG rado]')ra-'th*r, 'r*-', 
   .r*-', (')ra:-' quickly, OE hrd quick 1: with better reason or more 
   propriety  2: more readily or willingly : PREFERABLY - often used interject 
   ionally to express affirmation 3: more properly or truly  4: to the 
   contrary : INSTEAD  5: in some degree : SOMEWHAT