[fa.vor.ite] n [It favorito, pp. of favorire to favor, fr. favore favor, fr. L favor] (1583) 1: one that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking; esp: one unusually loved, trusted, or provided with favors by a person of high rank or authority
2: a competitor judged most likely to win
[2]favorite adj (1711): constituting a favorite; esp: markedly popular