Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - rather

 adverb  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hr?d quick  Date: before 12th century  1. with better reason or more propriety ; more properly this you should pity ~ than despise — Shakespeare  2. more readily or willingly ; preferably I'd ~ not go would ~ read than watch television — often used interjectionally to express affirmation  3. more correctly speaking my father, or ~ my stepfather  4. to the contrary ; instead was no better but ~ grew worse — Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)  5. in some degree ; somewhat it's ~ warm — often used as a mild intensive spent ~ a lot of money