1. (v. t.) To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

2. (v. t.) To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.

3. (v. t.) 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.

4. (v. t.) 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.

advance aggrandize aim at approve be desirous of be disposed to be partial to bring before bring forward bring up broach choose choose rather commend to attention cull desiderate desire discriminate elect elevate embrace ennoble enter espouse esteem exalt extend fancy favor feel about it file graduate have a bias have designs on have preference have rather hold forth hold out honor before incline toward introduce kick upstairs knight launch lay before lean toward lean towards like like better lodge look at it love lust lust after make a motion mark moot move offer offer a resolution open up opt for pass pick play favorites please pose postulate prefer to present proffer promote propose proposition propound put put forth put forward put it to put up raise rather recommend see fit select set before set forth show preference single out start submit suggest take take to tend toward tender think best think fit think proper treat unequally up upgrade view want wish wish to goodness wish very much would fain do