Pref"er*ence (?), n. [Cf. F. pr'ef'erence.] 1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.
Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry.
Dryden.
Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's.
Locke.
2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?
© Webster 1913. | 
