Definition of "preferre"

[…] let him go, And preſently preferre his ſuite to Cæſar.

1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene i], page 118, column 2

And therefore doe they preferre the beloved, and verifie that the Gods likewiſe preferre the ſame: […]

1603, Michel de Montaigne, “27. Of Friendſhip.”, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], page 92

But if hee preferre theſe things before CHRIST, though hee ſeeme to hold his fayth, yet CHRIST is no foundation vnto him, in that hee preferres thoſe vanities before him.

1610, Saint Augustine, “What it is to haue CHRIST for the foundation: who they are, that ſhalbe ſaued(as it were)by fire. Chap. 26.”, in J[ohn] H[ealey], transl., St. Augustine, of the Citie of God: […], [London]: […] George Eld, book XXI, page 868