prefer

The story

1. Latin · derived frompraeferō
2. Anglo-Norman · derived frompreferer
3. Middle English · inherited frompreferren
4. English todayprefer

From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō. Displaced native Old English foresettan and foreberan. Doublet of prelate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as collate and confer among others.

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
• from 14th c. To advance, promote (someone or something).
• from 16th c. To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
• 16th–19th c. To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).