Préf'er-ence, n.
[Fr. préférence, Sp. preferencia, It. preferenza.]
Sense 1. The act of preferring one thing before another; higher estimation; predilection; choice; — with to, above, before, or over, before the thing postponed.
Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry. Dryden.
The knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's. Locke.
Sense 2. The state of being preferred.
Sense 3. That which is preferred; the person or thing more highly esteemed; choice.