- rather
- O.E. hražor "more quickly, earlier, sooner," also "more readily," comparative of hraže, hręže "quickly," related to hręš "quick," from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (cf. O.N. hrašr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative rathest fell from use by 17c. Meaning "more willingly" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "more truly" is attested from c.1380.