Definitions
1.verbTo prefer; to prefer to.
2.adjectivePrior; earlier; former.
3.adverbMore quickly; sooner, earlier.
4.adverbUsed to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)"I'd like this one rather than the other one."
5.adverbUsed to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary."It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done."
6.adverbIntroducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)"I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone."
7.adverb(degree) Somewhat, fairly."This melon is rather tasteless, especially compared to the one we had last time."
8.interjectionAn enthusiastic affirmation.""Would you like some?" -- "Rather!""