— favorer , n.
/fay"veuhr/ , n.
1. something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act: to ask a favor.
2. friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill: to win the favor of the king.
3. the state of being approved or held in regard: to be in favor at court; styles that are now in favor.
4. excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment: to treat some people with favor and others with neglect.
5. a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love, etc., as formerly upon a knight by his lady.
6. a ribbon, badge, etc., worn in evidence of goodwill or loyalty, as by an adherent of a political party.
7. a small gift or decorative or festive item, as a noisemaker or paper hat, often distributed to guests at a party.
8. Usually, favors . sexual intimacy, esp. as permitted by a woman.
9. Archaic. a letter, esp. a commercial one.
10. find favor with , to gain the favor of; be liked by: The play found favor with the opening-night audience.
11. in favor of ,
a. on the side of; in support of: to be in favor of reduced taxation.
b. to the advantage of.
c. (of a check, draft, etc.) payable to: Make out your checks in favor of the corporation.
12. in one's favor , to one's credit or advantage: All the comments were in your favor.
13. out of favor , no longer liked or approved; no longer popular or fashionable: He's out of favor with the president and may soon be fired.
v.t.
14. to regard with favor: to favor an enterprise.
15. to prefer; treat with partiality: The father favored his younger son.
16. to show favor to; oblige: The king favored him with an audience.
17. to be favorable to; facilitate: The wind favored their journey.
18. to deal with, treat, or use gently: to favor a lame leg.
19. to aid or support: He favored his party's cause with ample funds.
20. to bear a physical resemblance to; resemble: to favor one's father's side of the family.
Also, esp. Brit., favour .
[ 1250-1300; ME favo ( u ) r favor- (s. of favor ) goodwill, equiv. to fav ( ere ) to be favorably inclined + -or- -OR 1 ]
Syn. 2. FAVOR, GOODWILL imply a kindly regard or friendly disposition shown by an individual or group. FAVOR may be merely an attitude of mind: to look with favor on a proposal. GOODWILL is more active and leads often to outward manifestations of friendly approval: By frequent applause the audience showed its goodwill toward the speaker. 5. present. 14. approve, countenance, sanction. 16. encourage, patronize. 19. help, assist.
Ant. 2. animosity, malice. 14. disapprove.