favor: Meaning and Definition of

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,sexual intimacy, esp. as permitted by a woman.
  9. a letter, esp. a commercial one.
  10. to gain the favor of; be liked by: The play found favor with the opening-night audience.
  11. to be in favor of reduced taxation.
    1. on the side of; in support of:to be in favor of reduced taxation.
    2. to the advantage of.
    3. (of a check, draft, etc.) payable to:Make out your checks in favor of the corporation.
  12. to one's credit or advantage: All the comments were in your favor.
  13. 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.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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