Defn: The quality or state of being preferable.
PREFERABLY
Pref"er*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In preference; by choice.
To choose Plautus preferably to Terence. Dennis.
PREFERENCE
Pref"er*ence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. préférence.]
1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference. Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry. Dryden. Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's. Locke.
2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference
PREFERENTIAL
Pref`er*en"tial, a.
Defn: Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.
PREFERENTIAL VOTING
Preferential voting. (Political Science)
Defn: A system of voting, as at primaries, in which the voters are allowed to indicate on their ballots their preference (usually their first and second choices) between two or more candidates for an office, so that if no candidate receives a majority of first choices the one receiving the greatest number of first and second choices together in nominated or elected.