Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Preferment
Pre-fer′ment
,Noun.
1.
The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference.
[R.]
Natural
preferment
of the one . . . before the other. Sir T. Browne.
2.
The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion.
Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable
preferment
had been spared. Macaulay.
3.
A position or office of honor or profit;
as, the
. preferments
of the churchWebster 1828 Edition
Preferment
PREFER'MENT
,Noun.
1.
Superior place or office. All preferments should be given to competent men.2.
Preference. [Not used.Definition 2024
preferment
preferment
English
Noun
preferment (plural preferments)
- (now historical) Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product. [from 15th c.]
- (obsolete) The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.). [15th-17th c.]
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.12:
- A mind warranted from prejudice, hath a marvellous preferment [transl. avancement] to tranquility.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.12:
- Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion. [from 15th c.]
- A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige. [from 16th c.]
- 1792, Anthony à Wood, The History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford: In Two Books, volume 1, Oxford: John Gutch, OCLC 642441055, page 661:
- One hall called Civil Law Hall or School, flouriſhed about this time (though in its buildings decayed) by the care of the learned and judicious Dr. Will. Warham Principal or Moderator thereof; which he leaving this year (having before had ſeveral Deputies therein) becauſe of his preferment to the ſee of London, became void for ſome time. The year following the ſaid Warham was tranſlated to Canterbury […]
-
- (now rare) The fact of preferring something; preference. [from 16th c.]