rather : Idioms & Phrases
Had as lief , Had rather , Had better , Had as soon
- etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive without to, are well established idiomatic forms. The original construction was that of the dative with forms of be, followed by the infinitive. See
Had better , underBetter .
Webster 1913
Had rather , ∨ Would rather
- prefer to; prefers to;
as, he . "I had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousands words in an unknown tongue." 1 Cor. xiv. 19. Seehad, ∨ would, rather go than stayHad rather , underHad .
Webster 1913
The rather
- the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
You are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand. Shak.