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preferential

[pref-uh-ren-shuh l]
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adjective
  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of preference: preferential policies.
  2. showing or giving preference: a preferential hiring system.
  3. receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.
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Origin of preferential

1840–50; < Medieval Latin praeferenti(a) preference + -al1
Related formspref·er·en·tial·ism, nounpref·er·en·tial·ist, nounpref·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·pref·er·en·tial, adjectivenon·pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·pref·er·en·tial·ism, nounqua·si-pref·er·en·tial, adjectivequa·si-pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

either, conversely, preferentially

Examples from the Web for preferentially

Historical Examples

  • Preferentially, too, he was not inclined to embark in matrimony.

    Aletta

    Bertram Mitford

  • Wherever you like, but preferentially in an unfrequented quarter.

    The Barber of Paris

    Charles Paul de Kock

British Dictionary definitions for preferentially

preferential

adjective
  1. showing or resulting from preference
  2. giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade
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Derived Formspreferentiality (ˌprɛfəˌrɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ), nounpreferentially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for preferentially

preferential

adj.

1805, from Medieval Latin preferentia, from Latin praeferre (see prefer) + -al (1).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper