| 释义 |
pref·er·ence
\ˈprefər(ə)n(t)s, -frən-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: French préférence, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens (present participle of praeferre to prefer) + -ia -y
1. archaic : preferableness, superiority
2.
a. : the act of preferring or the state of being preferred : choice or estimation above another : higher valuation or desirability
< the passionate sincerity of artists and other intellectuals may still be warped by wishful preferences — H.J.Muller >
b. : the power or opportunity of choosing
< gave him his preference >
3. : preferment, promotion
< the navy … passed him over in preference — Taliaferro Boatwright >
4.
a. : the legal right to prior payment of a debt (as the expense of administration of an insolvent estate)
b. : the payment without legal justification of a debt either in full or to an extent injuring other creditors entitled to be treated on a basis of equality (as under bankruptcy or insolvency laws)
c. : discrimination 4b
5. : someone or something that is preferred : an object of choice : favorite
< which is your preference >
6.
a. : the practice of giving one or more countries legal advantages over others in international trade especially by reduced tariffs — compare imperial preference
b. : an advantage given one customer above others
7. : the right given by a corporation's charter to one or more classes of stocks to receive a dividend before dividends may be paid on junior shares
8.
a. : a three-handed form of vint
b. : the act of bidding in bridge so as to show superior support for one of two or more suits bid by one's partner by a bid in the partner's first suit or by passing his second or third suit
Synonyms: see choice |