preferrer

noun

1. A person who prefers (a stated person or thing).

   “a preferrer of red wine”

   “1833, Ralph Waldo Emerson, journal entry dated 13 January, 1833, in Edward Waldo Emerson and Waldo Emerson Forbes (eds.), Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson, London: Constable, 1910, pp. 14-15, […] it takes a divine man to exhibit anything divine, Socrates, Alfred, Columbus, Wordsworth, or any other brave preferrer of the still voice within to the roar of the populace—a thing very easy to speak and very hard to do for twenty-four hours.”

   “What is my attitude toward risk—am I a risk preferrer, risk neutral, or risk avoider?”

   “I […] am not a pacifist. Though a peacemonger, negotiator, preferrer of embargoes to missiles, I know there are times when the call of nation and nationality to use arms may have to be responded to.”

2. (obsolete)A person who prefers (a stated person or thing).

   “I cannot nor ought nor, except I would bee noted not onely ingrate to your royall person beyng my patrone & preferrer, but also a neglecter of my dutye, a secrete mummer of suche thynges whiche touche both the inheritance of your croune & the honor of your realme ether holde my peace or kepe silence.”

   “She [Anna Bollen] was a great Patronesse of the Protestants, Protectour of the persecuted, Preferrer of men of merit (among whom Hugh Latimer) a bountifull Reliever of the poor, and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth.”

3. A person who prefers (a stated person or thing).

   “It [an Enditement] differeth from an Accusation in this, that the preferrer of the Bill is no way tyed to the proofe thereof vpon any penalty, if it be not proued, except there appeare conspiracy.”

   “[…] Q. Anne’s father […] was the preferrer of the suite, & hated Sir THOMAS both for his religion, and for that he had not consented to his daughter’s marriage […]”

   “Such a charge may originate either with the formal preferrer himself, or with any other individual whether or not in the military or public service.”