n.
Pronunciation: ' f ā -v ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin, from fav ē re to be favorable; perhaps akin to Old High German gouma attention, Old Church Slavic gov ě ti to revere
Date: 14th century
1 a (1) : friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior (2) : approving consideration or attention : APPROBATION b : PARTIALITY c archaic : LENIENCY d archaic : PERMISSION e : POPULARITY
2 archaic a : APPEARANCE b (1) : FACE (2) : a facial feature
3 a : gracious kindness also : an act of such kindness <did you a favor > b archaic : AID , ASSISTANCE c plural : effort in one's behalf or interest : ATTENTION
4 a : a token of love (as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously b : a small gift or decorative item given out at a party c : BADGE
5 a : a special privilege or right granted or conceded b : sexual privileges ― usually used in plural
6 archaic : LETTER
7 : BEHALF , INTEREST
– in favor of
1 a : in accord or sympathy with b : to the benefit of : in support of <a verdict in favor of the accused>
2 : to the order of
3 : in order to choose : out of preference for <turned down the scholarship in favor of a pro career>
– in one's favor
1 : in one's good graces
2 : to one's advantage <the odds were in my favor >
– out of favor : UNPOPULAR , DISLIKED <was out of favor with his neighbors>