leofre

== Old English == === Alternative forms === līofre === Etymology === The adverbial use dates back at least to Proto-West Germanic, when the word would have been *leubōzā. This usage persists into Modern German to this day: Proto-West Germanic *miz isti leubōzā (“I would rather”) → Old English mē is lēofre, German mir ist lieber. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈle͜oːf.re/, [ˈle͜oːv.re] === Adjective === lēofre inflection of lēof: strong genitive and dative feminine singular nominative feminine singular comparative degree nominative and accusative neuter singular comparative degree === Adverb === lēofre used to specify a choice or preference: rather late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans late 10th century, Ælfric, the Old English Hexateuch, Genesis 29:19 c. 1000, unknown author, Vercelli Homily IX late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans c. 1005, Ælfric's Letter to Sigeweard ==== Descendants ==== Middle English: leever English: liever