Dictionary
fa•vor
Pronunciation: (fā'vur), [key]—
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.
1. to regard with favor:
to favor an enterprise.
2. to prefer; treat with partiality:
The father favored his younger son.
3. to show favor to; oblige:
The king favored him with an audience.
4. to be favorable to; facilitate:
The wind favored their journey.
5. to deal with, treat, or use gently:
to favor a lame leg.
6. to aid or support:
He favored his party's cause with ample funds.
7. to bear a physical resemblance to; resemble:
to favor one's father's side of the family. Also, esp. Brit.,favour.Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
