preferment

preferment · noun¹

1. Middle English · inherited frompreferment
2. English todaypreferment

From Middle English preferment, preferrement, prefferment; equivalent to prefer + -ment.

preferment · noun²

1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
3. Proto-Indo-European*préh₂i?
4. Proto-Italic*prai
5. Proto-Italic*prai-
6. Latinprae-
7. Middle Englishpre-
8. Englishpre-
9. Englishferment
10. English todaypreferment

From pre- + ferment.

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product.
• 15th–17th c. The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.).
• from 15th c. Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion.
• from 16th c. A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige.
• from 16th c. The fact of preferring something; preference.