I. ˈfāv(ə)rə̇]t, -vər], usu ]d.+V\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian favorito, past participle of favorire to favor, from favore favor, from Latin favor
1.
a. : something treated or regarded with special favor : something especially liked or loved
like other fertile districts, this territory was once a favorite with the Indians — American Guide Series: Michigan
of all books, the Bible was his favorite
specifically : one unusually loved, trusted, or provided with favors by a person of high rank or authority
the Duke of York … granted the area between the Hudson and Delaware rivers to two of his favorites — American Guide Series: New Jersey
the political rule, by palace intrigue, of favorites, women, and eunuchs — W.G.Sumner
committing to a wicked favorite all public cares — John Milton
b. : something having marked especially lasting popularity
approximately thirty active winter playland areas in Vermont … include old favorites of all sizes — New York Times
2. obsolete : supporter , follower , partisan
3. : a short curl at the temple fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries — usually used in plural
4. : a competitor (as a horse in a race) judged most likely to win : the competitor against whom the shortest odds are laid in the betting
Synonyms: see parasite
II. adjective
: constituting a favorite
a favorite picnic place
: accorded special treatment or attention usually loving or affectionate
a favorite daughter
specifically : markedly popular especially over an extended period of time
favorite melodies from light opera
small dogs are favorite pets