preferment

From Middle English preferment, preferrement, prefferment; equivalent to prefer +‎ -ment.

• perferment (archaic)

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɹɪˈfəːmənt/

preferment (countable and uncountable, plural preferments)

1. (now historical) Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product. [from 15th c.]
2. (obsolete) The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.). [15th–17th c.]
   • 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume III, chapter 6:

     But consider—you need not be afraid of delegating power to me. I am no young lady on her preferment. Married women, you know, may be safely authorised.

   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     A mind warranted from prejudice, hath a marvellous preferment [translating avancement] to tranquility.

3. Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion. [from 15th c.]
4. 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, 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 […]

5. (now rare) The fact of preferring something; preference. [from 16th c.]

pre- +‎ ferment

preferment (plural preferments)

1. A mixture of flour, water and yeast that is allowed to ferment prior to another baking process

• prefermentation