preference
/ˈprefərəns/noun
1
- a greater liking for one alternative over another or others更加喜爱; 偏爱：
a preference for long walks and tennis over jogging
更喜欢远距离散步和网球而不是慢跑
mass noun he chose a clock in preference to a watch.他选了钟, 而不是表。
1.1
- a thing preferred偏爱的事物：
nearly 40 per cent named acid house as their musical preference.
将近40%的人提出酸房子舞乐是自己的偏爱。
1.2
- mass noun favour shown to one person or thing over another or others优先选择权：
preference is given to those who make a donation.
那些捐款的人被赋予优先权。
2
- Law a prior right or precedence, especially in connection with the payment of debts【律】（尤指债务偿付）优先偿还权; 优先权：
debts owed to the community should be accorded a preference.
欠社区的钱应当给予优先偿还权。
词源
late Middle English （in the sense 'promotion'）： from Old French， from medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferre 'carry in front' （see PREFER）.