1. (a.) Prior; earlier; former.

2. (a.) Earlier; sooner; before.

3. (a.) More readily or willingly; preferably.

4. (a.) On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.

5. (a.) of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.

6. (a.) More properly; more correctly speaking.

7. (a.) In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.