prefer
/prɪˈfɜː(r)/verb
(preferred, preferring)with obj.
1
- like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose更喜爱; 宁可; 偏爱：
I prefer Venice to Rome
我喜欢威尼斯胜过罗马
with infinitive I would prefer to discuss the matter in private我更愿意私下讨论这件事
with clause Val would presumably prefer that you didn't get arrested瓦尔可能更希望你没有被捕
as adj. preferred his preferred candidate.他所偏爱的候选人。
2
- formal submit (a charge or a piece of information) for consideration〈正式〉提出; 举报：
the police will prefer charges.
警方将提请公诉。
3
- archaic promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position〈古〉提拔（某人）; 提升：
he was preferred to the post.
他被提拔到那个职位上。
词源
late Middle English: from Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre, from prae 'before'+ferre 'to bear， carry'.