favourfavorn.
/ˈfeɪvə/, U.S. /ˈfeɪvər/ 1. † d. The object of favour; a favourite. Obsolete.† e. The action of favouring; patronage of an object. Obsolete. rare.
a. Propitious or friendly regard, goodwill, esp. on the part of a superior or a multitude. to find favour in the eyes of (originally a Hebraism): to gain the goodwill of. †Formerly also with a and plural: A liking, preference. †to have a favour to: to have a liking or regard for. to curry favour: corruption of to curry favel at curry v.1 5a; see favel n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > [noun]
well-likinglOE
gracec1300
favoura1340
grace and favour1542
rooma1591
propitiation1639
good graces1670
beaux yeux1828
the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > [noun]
loveeOE
well-likinglOE
favoura1340
liking1340
greea1400
study?c1400
benevolence1423
lustc1430
carec1540
goût1586
like1589
infection1600
predilection1626
notion1789
grá1833
shindy1855
hard-on1949
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > goodwill or kind intention
goodwilleOE
favoura1340
well-willinga1382
well-meaninga1393
good nature?c1450
voillancea1500
well-disposedness1606
bon-accordc1650
well-meaningness1663
well-naturedness1679
well-intentionedness1799
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxiv. 3 Þai doe wickidly, to get þaim þe fauour..of þis warld.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 434 & fals not þe gospel for favor of men.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. xvi. 23 The favoure of the lorde Jesus Christ be with you all.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xliii[iv]. 3 Thou haddest a fauoure vnto them. [So in 1611.]
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5419 The Mirmydouns his men, þat mekill ioy hade, And fayuer of þat fre, þen any folke ellis.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Evi An other woulde haue the fauoure of the Swychers wonne with money.
1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 94 To procure him the Kings Fauour.
1611 Bible (King James) Esther v. 8 I haue found fauour in the sight of the king. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iv. 7 Is he inconstant sir, in his fauours . View more context for this quotation
1641 Duke of Hamilton in Hamilton Papers (1880) 106 Your Maty..of whose..favour I have had so manie..testimonyes.
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Theodore & Honoria in Fables 258 He..found no favour in his Ladies Eyes.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 247 Such assiduous zeal secured the favour of the saint.
1807 G. Crabbe Hall of Justice ii, in Poems 242 His Favour was my Bliss and Pride.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. x. 265 His young Life-guardsman, for whom he seemed to have taken a special favour.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece V. 309 The oration..opens with a congratulation on the favour of heaven.
1866 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighb. (1878) xiii. 271 To create a favour toward each other.
b. Approving disposition towards a thing; inclination to commend, sanction, or adopt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > [noun] > disposition to approve
plausibilitya1558
friendliness1558
sympathy1823
favour1827
favourableness1832
appreciativeness1849
approbativeness1860
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. ix. 181 The first and highest place In Fancy's favour.
1862 H. Marryat One Year in Sweden II. 247 St. Brita's onion found..great favour in their sight.
1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 154 Those who looked with favour on his enterprise.
c. Objectively. (to be, stand high, etc.) in a person's favour: in his good graces. Also in, out of favour, to bring into favour, etc.
ΚΠ
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bviiiv Familier & great in fauour with princes.
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges ii. sig. Kiij Thou mayst suspect & trowe Hym more in fauour & in conceyt than thou.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xxxii [He] fell in suche fauour with the kyng.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 293 The king of Nauarre..was out of the french kings fauor.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 241 To bring one in fauour with a man. Insinuare aliquem alteri.
1676 Lady Chaworth in Hist. MSS. Comm. 12th Rep., App. v. 28 She is still highly in favour.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. G2v/1 I'le bring you again into his favour.
1701 D. Defoe True-born Englishman Introd. 1 Fools out of Favour grudge at Knaves in Place.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 447 Rochester..stood high in the favour of the King.
1860 G. J. Adler tr. C. C. Fauriel Hist. Provençal Poetry ii. 21 The various kinds of Provençal poetry were not in equal favour among the Castilians.
1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. i. iv. 216 As slaves, or as captives..they were taken into favour by the dominant nation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > loved one > [noun] > state or condition of being a favourite > favourite or pet
darlingc888
favoura1387
dandilly?a1513
tidling1520
marmoset1523
white son1539
minion1566
favourite1582
white boyc1600
feddle1611
dautie1676
inclination1691
mother's pet1819
fair-haired boy1822
pet1825
white-haired boy1829
petsywetsy1847
blue-eyed boy1919
fave1938
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 413 Elfleda favour of citezeynes [L. favor civium] and drede of enemyes.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 664 Man, His chief delight and favour . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > patronage > [noun]
avowry1330
lordshipc1405
goodlordship1418
good mastership1428
good masterhood1445
patrocinyc1475
patronage1553
patrocine1590
Maecenatism1606
auspice1611
clientele1611
patrocination1640
favour1692
Maecenasship1816
shefstvo1937
1692 W. Temple Ess. Anc. & Mod. Learning in Miscellanea: 1st Pt. (ed. 3) ii. 65 The favour of learning was the humour..of the age.
2.
a. Exceptional kindness; gracious or friendly action due to special goodwill, and in excess of what may be ordinarily looked for. †for favour: out of goodwill, freely.The envelope of a letter sent by hand occasionally bears the words ‘By favour of Mr. ——’ (the friend who conveys the letter).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > graciousness > favour or grace
thankOE
gracec1300
specialtyc1390
favourc1400
yonste1481
benediction1483
gratitude?a1513
aggrace1590
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > graciousness > favour or grace > exceptional
gracec1300
favourc1400
the mind > will > free will > [adverb]
freelyeOE
wilfullyc1000
by one's willOE
of oneselfOE
self-willesOE
of one's own willOE
willyOE
with one's willc1175
voluntarilyc1374
wilfulc1380
of one's own heada1393
willea1400
willilya1400
of (free) voluntyc1402
of or at one's (own) voluntyc1402
of one's own motion1419
of (also by, with) one's (own) goodwill?a1425
on one's own heada1425
of (also by, on, upon) one's own accorda1450
activelyc1454
willinglyc1475
voluntary1480
liberallya1500
of one's own swinge1548
voluntariously1550
voluntarlyc1568
for favour1574
at voluntary1585
of, out of, upon, or at (a person's) own voluntary1585
selfly1595
motu proprio1603
ultroneously1627
unimposedly1647
spontaneously1660
needlessly1710
unmechanically1764
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 967 Of þe lombe I haue þe aquylde For a syȝt þer of þurȝ gret fauor.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) vi For the ffauour þat we do to the persones þat kepe ham, wich ffauoure þe Scottis do not.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Bi The good deserueth..to haue fauoure shewed vnto them.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 241 For fauour. Gratiosè.
1770 Philos. Trans. 1769 (Royal Soc.) 59 199 A crocodile, which I lately saw by the favour of Mr. John Hunter.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 8 I have a friend..who will..do me so much favour.
b. An instance of this; something conceded, conferred, or done out of special grace or goodwill; an act of exceptional kindness, as opposed to one of duty or justice. (Now also in ironic colloquial usage.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > graciousness > favour or grace > instance or act of
douthOE
wel-dedeOE
gooddeedOE
boonc1175
fordeedc1230
gracec1300
good turna1375
gratitude?a1513
gratuity1523
favour1605
vouchsafement1629
veniality1655
1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes II. §23 So shal I..accept of small fauours with great thankfulnes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) i. i. 122 Doe me the fauour to dilate at full, What haue befalne of them. View more context for this quotation
1667 A. Wyndham Claustrum Regale Reseratum (1681) 56 A Gentleman..desired the favour of him, that he would please to step forth.
1714 J. Fortescue-Aland in J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. Pref. 39 He had extraordinary Favours shewn him from his Prince.
1780 W. Cowper Table Talk 268 Religion, richest favour of the skies.
1814 D. H. O'Brien Narr. Captiv. & Escape 13 We were allowed to mix with the officers..as a great favour.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 16 I came to ask a favour of you.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 309 I wish that you would do me the favour of considering temperance first.
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren iii. 46 The well-worn sentiments..‘Do me a favour—drop dead.’
1962 N. Marsh Hand in Glove v. 149 ‘Look,’ Leonard drawled, ‘do me a favour and get the hell out of this, will you?’
1963 J. T. Story Something for Nothing i. 20 ‘Shouldn't you get an accountant to sort it out?’ ‘Do me a favour,’ Albert said. ‘It was getting an accountant that got me into all this.’
1969 Guardian 14 May 1/2 Was she hoping to get engaged during the year of the tour? ‘Good God, no, do us a favour.’
c. A complimentary term for: Communication, letter. (Now, at least in England, almost confined to commercial correspondence.) Also explicitly in †the favour of your letter.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun]
epistleeOE
pistleOE
writOE
letter?c1225
brief1330
writingc1384
missive letter1519
scroll1534
missive?1553
scrieve1581
favour1645
chitty1698
chit1757
mail letter1799
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > last, next, or your letter
yours1536
last1545
next1595
the favour of your letter1706
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iv. viii. 8 Since I was beholden to you for your many favours in Oxford, I have not heard from you.
1679 S. Pepys Let. to Duke of York 9 June The..excuse of my no earlier owing the favour of your Royal Highness's, by Captain Sanders.
1706 Walsh in Pope's Lett. (1735) I. 56 At my return..I receiv'd the favour of your Letter.
1738 B. Franklin Let. 13 Apr. in Wks. (1887) I. 476 I have your favors of the 21st of March.
1751 T. Sharp in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) (Camden) 374 Last post brought me the favour of yours of the 2d instt.
1786 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 3 Your favor of June the 14th is come to hand.
1816 W. Scott Let. 12 Nov. (1933) IV. 287 I have been shockingly negligent in acknowledging your repeated favours.
1865 G. P. Marsh in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) III. 56 I received your favor of April 8.
d. Euphemistically. Formerly also the last favour (= French les dernières faveurs).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse
ymonec950
moneOE
meanc1175
manredc1275
swivinga1300
couplec1320
companyc1330
fellowred1340
the service of Venusc1350
miskissinga1387
fellowshipc1390
meddlinga1398
carnal knowinga1400
flesha1400
knowledgea1400
knowledginga1400
japec1400
commoning?c1425
commixtionc1429
itc1440
communicationc1450
couplingc1475
mellingc1480
carnality1483
copulation1483
mixturea1500
Venus act?1507
Venus exercise?1507
Venus play?1507
Venus work?1507
conversation?c1510
flesh-company1522
act?1532
carnal knowledge1532
occupying?1544
congression1546
soil1555
conjunction1567
fucking1568
rem in re1568
commixture1573
coiture1574
shaking of the sheets?1577
cohabitation1579
bedding1589
congress1589
union1598
embrace1599
making-outa1601
rutting1600
noddy1602
poop-noddy1606
conversinga1610
carnal confederacy1610
wapping1610
businessa1612
coition1615
doinga1616
amation1623
commerce1624
hot cocklesa1627
other thing1628
buck1632
act of love1638
commistion1658
subagitation1658
cuntc1664
coit1671
intimacy1676
the last favour1676
quiffing1686
old hat1697
correspondence1698
frigging1708
Moll Peatley1711
coitus1713
sexual intercourse1753
shagging1772
connection1791
intercourse1803
interunion1822
greens1846
tail1846
copula1864
poking1864
fuckeea1866
sex relation1871
wantonizing1884
belly-flopping1893
twatting1893
jelly roll1895
mattress-jig1896
sex1900
screwing1904
jazz1918
zig-zig1918
other1922
booty1926
pigmeat1926
jazzing1927
poontang1927
relations1927
whoopee1928
nookie1930
hump1931
jig-a-jig1932
homework1933
quickie1933
nasty1934
jig-jig1935
crumpet1936
pussy1937
Sir Berkeley1937
pom-pom1945
poon1947
charvering1954
mollocking1959
leg1967
rumpy-pumpy1968
shafting1971
home plate1972
pata-pata1977
bonking1985
legover1985
knobbing1986
rumpo1986
fanny1993
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer v. iii She..granted you the last favour, (as they call it).
1695 W. Congreve Love for Love iii. i. 51 You think it more dangerous to be seen in Conversation with me, than to allow some other Men the last Favour.
1824 T. Medwin Conv. with Byron (1832) I. 87 One who had bestowed her favours on many.
3. Kind indulgence.† b. ‘Lenity, mildness, mitigation of punishment’ (Johnson); an instance of this, a lenient act. Obsolete.† c. An indulgence, privilege. Obsolete.
a. Leave, permission, pardon. Chiefly in phrases, by, with (your, etc.) favour; by the favour of. Also, under favour: with all submission, subject to correction. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun]
leaveeOE
yleaveOE
willOE
grant?c1225
thaving?c1225
grantisea1300
licence1362
grace1389
pardona1425
libertyc1425
patiencec1425
permission1425
sufferingc1460
congee1477
legencea1500
withganga1500
favour1574
beleve1575
permittance1580
withgate1599
passage1622
sufferage1622
attolerance1676
sanction1738
permiss-
the mind > emotion > humility > [adverb]
edmodlichec1175
meeklyc1175
low1340
lowlyc1350
humblyc1374
humilyc1380
meeka1382
poorlyc1385
benignlyc1386
lowlily1415
sheep-like1582
demissly1598
squire-like1608
demissively1622
forma pauperisa1627
under favour1699
daftly1724
abasedly1830
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 244 Sauing your displeasure..or with your fauour.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes vii. f. 287 If the wife..depart from her husband, without his good fauour.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 65 By thy fauour..I must sigh in thy face. View more context for this quotation
1611 B. Jonson Catiline i. sig. C3 (With fauour) 't were no losse, if't might be enquir'd What the Condition of these Armes would be. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. i. 168 Pray giue me fauour Sir. View more context for this quotation
a1642 R. Callis Reading of Statute of Sewers (1647) i. 21 Under the favor of these books.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ (ed. 3) i. i. §20. 21 By the favour of so learned a man, it seems probable.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 135 Under favour, I say it's an Anapæst.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Cock & Fox in Fables 253 With your Favour, I will treat it here.
1750 G. Jeffreys in J. Duncombe Lett. Several Eminent Persons Deceased (1773) II. 253 Under favour, poetical justice is so far from being ‘a chimera’, that [etc.].
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. v. 108 Under favour, my Lord..the youth must find another guide.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > [noun] > leniency
neshc1175
moderation?a1425
favourc1460
easiness1483
favourableness1545
lightness1611
grace1660
leniency1780
lenience1796
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) v To shewrigoure þer as fauour awght to be shewid.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Josh. xi. D [And] no fauoure to be shewed vnto them.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 902 Now faindis to haue fauour with thy fleichingis.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 383 Prouided..that for this fauour he presently become a Christian. View more context for this quotation
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. iv. xxxii. 142 Prisoners..put to ransom, by a singular favour of the Prince of Orange.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. vii. 129 I could not discover the Lenity and Favour of this Sentence.
1780 E. Burke Speech Bristol previous to Election 45 Who..would construe..doubtful appearances, with the utmost favour.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > indulgent permission > an indulgence granted
indulgencea1616
favour1634
indulgency1768
1634 Proc. Star Chamber in S. R. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 26 Hee should not have the favour to aunswere it in this Courte.
1639 N. N. tr. J. Du Bosc Compl. Woman A ij b A favour reserved to few, to become witnesses of a vertue so extraordinary.
1646 E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 67 She is proffered the favour..of continuinge a tennant.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 310 Those..had not the favour of a sepulchre.
1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Jewish War iv. v, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 860 At length..they had the favour to be slain.
d. Ombre and Quadrille. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1902 Ld. Aldenham Game of Ombre 46 Favor..consists..in a preference given to one suit—usually Diamonds (Oros).
1902 Ld. Aldenham Game of Ombre 46 One of his antagonists, having a good hand in Diamonds, outbids him, and demands Favor, intending to play the Simple game.
4. Partiality towards a litigant, competitor, etc.; personal sympathies as interfering with justice. challenge to the favour (Law): see challenge n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > wrong or injustice > [noun] > partiality
acceptionc1384
favour1393
accepting of persons (also faces)1395
acceptation of personsc1400
partiality1421
acceptance of persons1531
affecta1547
affection1547
partialness1561
prosopolepsy1646
favouritism1763
one-sidedness1830
biasness1872
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 179 The Sampnites to him brought A somme of gold and him besought To don hem favour in the lawe.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1859) i. xxxii. 36 Withoute fauour iuge the trouthe.
1482 Eng. Gilds (1870) 318 Awe noe fawer more to one than to a nother.
1632 P. Massinger Maid of Honour v. ii. sig. L Not sway'd, or by favour, or affection.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1683) II. 108 Favour..to their own habitual depravations of nature.
1839 J. Bouvier Law Dict. U.S.A. I. 447/2 Nor shall you [the Grand Jury] leave any one unpresented for fear, favour, affection.
5. Aid, support, furtherance, whether proceeding from persons or things. Obsolete except in phrases (now somewhat rare) by, under (the) favour of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [noun]
fultumeOE
help971
succour?c1225
abetc1330
succouringc1330
speedc1340
subsidya1387
rescousc1390
chevisancea1400
juvamentc1400
supply1420
aid1430
favour1434
supplying1436
suffrage1445
availa1450
boteningc1450
succurrancec1450
adjuvancea1460
assistance1495
meeda1500
subventiona1500
suppliancea1500
adjutory?a1513
sistancea1513
adminiculation1531
abetment1533
assisting1553
adjument1576
society1586
aidance1593
opitulation1598
secourse1598
second1605
suppeditation1605
assistency1642
auxiliation1657
adjutancy1665
adjuvancy1677
abettal1834
sustenance1839
constructiveness1882
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Mending of Life 128 Our gostely ee..þat light in it-self as it is..may not se, & ȝitt it felys it þat it is þere, qwhils it haldis with it favyr & heet of þatt light vnknawen.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxviiiv At wynter he [sc. the calfe] woll be bygge ynough to saue hymselfe amonge other beestes, with a lytell fauoure.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1746 We haue..ffele fryndes and fauer out of fer londys.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 239 He hopeth that by ye fauour of some man, he may be holpen in this crime.
1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia i. ix. 64 The Armie..in attempting the Castle (without the favour of the Cannon) must have endured great losse.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures 10 By the favor of daylight we perceived a great many sails.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. ii. ii. 46 Under favour of this Supposition, the Privateers marched through the Streets.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World x. 310 By the favour of thick weather, and a hard gale of wind, they got clear.
c1850 Arabian Nights (Rtldg.) 626 By favour of six good rowers..we arrived at my country house.
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) II. xxix. 537 He begged permission, under favor of the night, to surprise the Bellerophon.
6. in favour of (= French en faveur de.) Used as a preposition in various senses.† c. In consideration of, for the sake of. Obsolete.
a. In defence or support of; on behalf of; on the side of. to be in favour of: to be on the side of, to be disposed to support or advocate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > in support of or on the side of [phrase]
in favour of1556
in behalf ofa1616
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. I6 Hoo well haue you spoken in the fauoure of the wemen.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xlviii. 185 They..resolved to write a letter in favour of us to the old Queen.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 97 Thirty six of the bishops present were in favour of it.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 155 He attempted to interest in his favour those Roman Catholics.
b. To the advantage of. (Rarely, †in favour to.) Also in Commerce with reference to a bill, etc.: So as to be payable to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > to or for the advantage of
in favour of1556
to (also for) the behalf of1562
in the interest (interests) of1716
for the benefit of1752
on behalf of1791
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. H4 Them that in their owne fauour hathe approuued and made the lawes.
1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 12 Nov. (1855) 86 Ane act, allegit purchasit in his favores be Mr. John Diksone.
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 13 When such an accident happeneth, it is usually in favour to those extraordinary persons in whom [etc.].
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 23/2 Bollakey Doss drew a draught on Benares in favor of Lord Clive.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) VI. 58 Trusts, in favour of his wife and children.
1823 Asiatic Jrnl. & Monthly Reg. Oct. 349/1 There remains a balance of strength in favour of the bridge.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > for the sake of
for my (our, etc.) loveeOE
for the love ofeOE
for (one's, a thing's) sakea1225
for sert ofa1400
for (also upon) a person's occasion1567
in favour of1605
for sake('s) sake1665
on occasion of (a person)1860
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 30 One Regilianus..got the Empire there, only in favour of..his name.
d. Out of a preference for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choice [phrase] > by preference > out of preference for
in favour of1893
1893 Law Times 95 109/2 Builders..have refused land in Middlesex in favour of land in a non-register county.
7.
a. (concrete of 1.) Something given as a mark of favour; esp. a gift such as a knot of ribbons, a glove, etc., given to a lover, or in medieval chivalry by a lady to her knight, to be worn conspicuously as a token of affection.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [noun] > love-token or love-gift
love-tokenOE
druery?c1225
love-druryc1400
favour1592
love-favour1597
gage d'amour1768
the mind > emotion > love > affection > [noun] > instance of affection > expression or token of affection
favour1592
dearness1641
1592 Greenes Groats-worth of Witte sig. C3v She..returnd him a silke Riband for a fauour tyde with a true loues knot.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido iii. sig. C4v Fauours of more soueraigne worth, Then Thetis hangs about Apolloes necke.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 130 + 1 Holde Rosaline, this Fauour thou shalt weare. View more context for this quotation
1712 Spectator No. 436. ⁋6 That custom of wearing a mistress's favour on such occasions [fencing contests] of old.
1842 R. Browning My Last Duchess My favour at her breast.
1864 J. F. Kirk Hist. Charles the Bold (U.S. ed.) I. ii. iii. 508 A time when he should..wear her favors in the tilting-field.
b. A ribbon, cockade, or the like, worn at a ceremony, e.g. a bride's favour, coronation favour, wedding favour, in evidence of goodwill; also, a similar decoration worn as a party-badge.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > [noun] > badge > types of badge
favoura1616
field mark1653
cockade1709
star1830
button1837
pin1848
brassard1870
patch1884
shoulder patch1947
badging1983
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iv. vii. 151 Here Fluellen, weare thou this fauour for me, and sticke it in thy Cappe. View more context for this quotation
1667 S. Pepys Diary 20 Feb. (1974) VIII. 73 Observing Sir W. Penn's carrying a favour to Sir W. Coventry for his daughter's wedding.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xxx. 250 I will send you..the Bride's Favour.
1702 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) V. 166 The motto of the coronation favours was, God has sent our hearts content.
1741 H. Walpole Corr. (ed. 3) I. ix. 27 The city shops are full of favours.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 206 A bride's favour..he now wore in his cap.
1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 34 Choice of jackets, hats, and favors.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany xi. 183 He wears in his button-hole a favour of blue, green, and white ribbons.
8. That which conciliates affection or goodwill; attractiveness, comeliness, beauty; an attraction, charm. Obsolete exc. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [noun]
drawingc1300
favourc1300
gracea1382
graciousnessa1425
likingnessc1450
allurement1548
allurance1574
seemliness1577
gracefulnessa1586
blandishment1594
attractiveness1622
takingness1652
engagingness1727
winningness1727
temptingness1802
cuteness1807
attachingness1808
winsomeness1825
beaux yeux1828
prepossessingness1876
enchantingness1879
aegyo1997
c1300 K. Alis. 2844 An harpour..made a lay of gret favour.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 428 Bot ho hir passed in sum favour.
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 126 A woman..With fauour in here face far passynge my reson.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xii. vii. 25 With quhais [sc. Iapis'] favour vmquhile strangly caucht, This god Appollo gladly hass hym taucht.
c1592 Faire Em sig. B1 Not verie fayer, but ritchly deckt with fauour: A sweete face.
1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene Looking Glasse sig. C2v Now ope ye foldes where Queene of fauour sits.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xl. 22 Thine eye desireth fauour and beautie. View more context for this quotation
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 91 The general contentment, which our English women afford, without sophisticate and adulterate favours.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. vii. 111 It takes away much of the favour of life.
9. † c. A feature. Obsolete.
a. Appearance, aspect, look. Now archaic or dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun]
onseneeOE
bleea1000
shapeOE
ylikeOE
laitc1175
semblanta1225
sightc1275
fare1297
showingc1300
specea1325
parelc1330
guise1340
countenance1362
semblance?a1366
apparel1377
regardc1380
apparencec1384
imagec1384
spicec1384
overseeminga1398
kenninga1400
seemingc1400
visage1422
rinda1450
semenauntc1450
'pearance1456
outwardc1475
representation1489
favour?a1500
figurea1522
assemblant1523
prospect?1533
respect1535
visure1545
perceiverance1546
outwardshine1549
view1556
species1559
utter-shape1566
look1567
physiognomy1567
face1572
paintry1573
visor1575
mienc1586
superficies?1589
behaviour1590
aspect1594
complexion1597
confrontment1604
show1604
aira1616
beseeminga1616
formality1615
resemblancea1616
blush1620
upcomea1630
presentment1637
scheme1655
sensation1662
visibility1669
plumage1707
facies1727
remark1748
extrinsica1797
exterior1801
showance1820
the cut of one's jib1823
personnel1839
personal appearance1842
what-like1853
look-see1898
outwall1933
visuality1938
prosopon1947
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Trial of Fox l. 975 in Poems (1981) 41 The fauour off thy face..is foull and disfigurate.
a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 120 The fauyr of your face Is voyd of all good grace.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Biii A man..whom by hys fauour & apparrel..I iudged to be a maryner.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. iv. 50 I do loue the fauour..Of this most faire occasion. View more context for this quotation
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine i. viii. 23 Palestine..tricked and trimmed with many new Cities, had the favour thereof quite altered.
1657 W. Rand in tr. P. Gassendi Mirrour of Nobility A 8 a It was your pleasure also to learn the favour of his Countenance from his Picture.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 197 He is the ‘counterfeit presentment’ of his sister in external favour.
b. The countenance, face. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > [noun]
leera700
nebeOE
onseneeOE
wlitec950
anlethOE
nebshaftc1225
snouta1300
facec1300
visage1303
semblantc1315
vicea1325
cheera1350
countenance1393
front1398
fashiona1400
visurec1400
physiognomyc1425
groina1500
faxa1522
favour1525
facies1565
visor1575
complexiona1616
frontispiecea1625
mun1667
phiz1687
mug1708
mazard1725
physiog1791
dial plate1811
fizzog1811
jiba1825
dial1837
figurehead1840
Chevy Chase1859
mooey1859
snoot1861
chivvy1889
clock1899
map1899
mush1902
pan1920
kisser1938
boat1958
boat race1958
punim1965
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. ccxlvii. [ccxliii.] 759 He was lyke kynge Richarde in fauoure.
1581 C. T. in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign Elizabeth (1845) II. 396 My fauour is harde, My body croukte.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 861 Courrours were sent out..with certaine notes also of the fauour of the man.
1676 London Gaz. No. 1126/4 He is of low stature, and thin favor.
1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) ii. 150 By their vertuous behaviour compensate the hardness of their Favour.
1822 ‘B. Cornwall’ Love Cured in Poet. Wks. I. 86 I..know Whence comes this noble favour.
1875 Ld. Tennyson Queen Mary v. ii. 235 What makes thy favour like the bloodless head Fall'n on the block?
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > [noun] > with reference to form
featurea1375
visagea1400
favour1597
set of features1713
1597 M. Drayton Englands Heroicall Epist. f. 10 In thy face, one fauour from the rest I singled forth.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. ii. 136 I will..staine my fauors in a bloudy maske. View more context for this quotation
a1639 D. Digges Compl. Ambassador (1655) 343 The Gentleman..is void of any good favour, besides the blemish of the small pocks.
d. Family likeness. Cf. favour v. 8. dialect.
ΚΠ
1895 N.E.D. at Favour Mod. dial. (Staffordshire), I knew her by favour, as soon as I saw her.
Compounds
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [noun] > servile flatterer
papelard1340
placeboc1395
fawnerc1440
pickthank1460
adulator?a1475
earwigc1475
curry-favel1515
men-pleaser1526
gnatho1533
upcreeperc1540
claw-back1549
curry-favourer1563
man-pleaser1564
claw-poll1569
please-man1570
sycophant1575
curry-favour1577
capper1587
insinuator1598
clawera1603
scrape-shoe1607
suck-fist1611
courtiera1616
foot lickera1616
fleerera1627
wriggler1631
fawn1635
limberham1689
toad-eater1742
tuft-hunter1755
arse-kisser1766
sleeve-creeper1809
lick-spit1822
lickspittle1825
shoe-licker1826
toady1826
toad1831
toader1842
bootlicker1846
bootlick1849
favour-currier1855
lubricator1872
bum-sucker1877
handshaker1884
suck1900
mbongo1911
sucker-up1911
apple-polisher1918
snurge1933
ass-licker1939
brown-nose1939
brown-noser1942
arse-licker1951
ass-kisser1951
greaser1959
suck-hole1966
suck-up1970
bumboy1984
fly-
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! (1889) 13/2 They train the lads up eaves-droppers and favour-curriers.
favour-currying adj. see curry v.1
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [adjective]
fikingc1230
papelarda1500
gnathonical1540
clawing1574
pickthank1575
slavering1575
claw-back1577
courting1580
fawning1585
adulatory1587
insinuating1592
insinuative1592
scraping1599
adulatorious1612
men-pleasing1615
pickthanking1621
sycophantical1632
gnathonic1637
insinuanta1639
sycophantizing1640
ingratiating1642
led1672
sycophanting1674
sycophantly1680
sycophanta1684
sycophantica1698
pickthankly1702
assiduous1725
foot-licking1786
tuft-hunting1789
sycophantish1821
favour-currying1831
bootlicking1849
toadying1863
creepy-crawly1890
slauming1904
toadyish1909
ass-licking1940
ass-kissing1942
brown-nosing1946
arse-licking1950
sucky1991
1831 T. L. Peacock in Examiner 14 Aug. Long floods of favour-currying gabble.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [noun] > love-token or love-gift > ribbon worn as love-token
favour-ribbon1762
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. 108 Drinking, and dipping their favour-ribbands in the wine.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
favourfavorv.
/ˈfeɪvə/, U.S. /ˈfeɪvər/ 1.
a. transitive. To regard with favour, look kindly upon; to be inclined to, have a liking or preference for; to approve.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve of, accept, or sanction [verb (transitive)]
loveeOE
underfoc1000
underfong?c1225
undertakea1250
provec1300
allowa1325
favour1340
approvec1380
seem?c1450
conprovec1503
avow1530
rectify1567
annuate1585
to be for1590
sancite1597
improve1603
applauda1616
acclamate1624
resenta1646
own1649
comprobate1660
sanction1797
likea1825
approbate1833
to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1895
agree1900
endorse1914
condone1962
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > win favour with [verb (transitive)] > favour
to let well ofc1330
favour1340
to take, accept, receive in greec1374
likea1393
smilec1400
to take agreea1425
agreec1450
to fawn on, upon1477
to bear good mind toa1516
to look upon ——c1515
to look on ——1540
vouchsafe1582
conceit1589
relish1594
to look to ——1611
impatronize1629
aspect1663
sympathize1828
to put one's money on1847
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 740 Whi fauure ȝe..falce godus?
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Macc. xiv. 24 He loued Iudas euer with his hert, and fauoured him.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13950 When Vlixes..persayuit, þat he to Circes was son..He fauort hym more faithly.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 241 Not fauouring learning, not minding. etc. Auersus a musis.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum v. §495 Men fauour Wonders.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iv. §4 Josephus seems to favour the division of the City into three parts.
a1780 J. Harris Philol. Inq. (1781) iii. vii. 348 The doctrines they most favoured.
1793 E. Burke Observ. Conduct Minority in Two Lett. Conduct Domestick Parties (1797) 52 That party which Mr. Fox inclined most to favour.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 113 God favour and preserve him.
1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 VI. lx. 52 It was one of the difficulties in the case to find what religion he favoured.
b. In film-making and broadcasting (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > putting on or producing broadcast > put on or produce broadcast [verb (transitive)] > various techniques
fade1927
pre-emphasize1951
favour1960
1960 O. Skilbeck ABC of Film & TV Working Terms 52 Favour, deliberately to turn the mike or camera to face one artist more than another.
1960 D. Davis Gram. Television Production 60 Favour, to see more of one person's face than that of another person in the same shot.
1970 Amateur Photographer 22 Apr. 84/2 Because of its strong directional properties a cardioid microphone will have to follow the actors around and be pointed at them when they speak. This is called ‘favouring’ and must be done gently without transmitting vibrations along the boom pole.
2. † b. To indulge with permission (to do something). Obsolete.
a. To show favour to; to treat kindly; to countenance, encourage, patronize; †to indulge (oneself, a feeling).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)]
shoveOE
to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154
favour1362
abetc1380
sustainc1390
supportc1405
courage1470
comfort1481
friend1550
through-bear1554
countenance1568
foster1569
favourize1585
seconda1586
sidea1601
rally1624
feed1626
countenance1654
encourage1668
inserve1683
to go strong on1822
partake1861
sponsor1884
to hold a brief for1888
root1889
rah-rah1940
affirm1970
babysit1973
barrack-
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to
favour1362
aggrace1590
grace1590
accommodate1608
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > permit [verb (transitive)] > permit as an indulgence > indulge with permission
gracea1450
favour1549
indulge1662
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. iii. 81 Rynges with Rubyes þe Regratour to fauere.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 489 Faveriden hem in þese open errouris.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. K.jv Yf she be good, he ought to fauer her, that she may be the better.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Rom. vii. f. xvii This wyse therfore fauoryng my selfe, I was in manner ignoraunt.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 78 Man onely..ceaseth not to favour his sorowe.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 22 William..favoured them by giftes and easy lawes.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 903 Now haue I ferlie, gif I fauour the ocht.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms cii. 13 The time to fauour her..is come. View more context for this quotation
1655 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 193 I beseech you..fauor me soe much as to hint unto his Maty my misfortune.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vi. 216 If there be a strong Bias within,..to favour the Deceit.
1806 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 15 112 If he will ‘favor me’, by perusing my last communication.
1857 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. (ed. 3) I. 210 The former [John the Grammarian] was favoured by Amrou, the conqueror of Egypt.
1870 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. (1873) 38 No religion..would have favoured the idea.
ΚΠ
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5101 A fole to be fauoret folili to speke.
1605 Play Stucley in R. Simpson School of Shakspere (1878) I. 160 What her bashfulness Conceals from you, favour me to disclose.
c. To indulge or oblige (a person) with something. I am favoured with: often used as a courteous form of acknowledgement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat
favourc1374
to do a person (a) pleasure1460
to show a person (a) pleasure1460
oblige1567
engage1626
caress1679
serve1794
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. i. i. 4 Fortune..fauored [e] me wiþ lyȝte goodes.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 29 The manner of his death gave Laertius occasion to favour him with this Epigram.
1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 308 I am favoured with yours of the 10th August.
1793 T. Twining in Country Clergym. 18th C. (1882) 185 A lady..was asked to ‘favour us with a song’.
1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. ii. v. 192 Fielding..twice favoured me with visits.
1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds iv. 48 Agriculture has..been favoured with many privileges.
1841 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion (ed. 3) Pref. p. xxii Having..been early favoured with a copy of the original work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (intransitive)]
hieldc1325
inclinea1393
favour1393
to cry aim1567
shout1875
root1889
pull1890
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 77 She to nouther part favoureth.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. xcviijv All those that haue..fauoured vnto his said vncle of Winchester.
4.
a. transitive. To treat with partiality. Also, to side with, take the part of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > take someone's side or side with
favoura1375
to stand with ——1384
takec1400
to take (a) part witha1470
to hold sides1490
to take the part ofc1500
to stick with ——1523
partake1546
follow1548
to join issue1551
to make with ——1559
favourize1585
side1585
party1587
to take in1597
part1669
to fall in1709
to take for ——1770
to take up for1824
range1874
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1171 Heiȝh king of heuene for þi holy name, ne fauore nouȝt so my [fo].
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxviii He fawowryd þe Part, Þat langyd Schyr Alysawndyr Mowbray.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. B.iijv I shall haue many wylle fauoure me in the same.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 241 He fauoured Cateline.
1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth Introd. 1 Margaret of Alençon..fauoured the Protestants Religion.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 23 Uncertain which o' th' two to favour.
1740 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) VII. 116 Those who favoured the party of Antigonus.
1895 N.E.D. at Favour Mod. The examiner was accused of having favoured his own pupils.
b. Commerce. In market reports of a commodity: To be at prices favourable to (buyers, sellers).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > [verb (transitive)] > be at price favourable to
favour1890
1890 Daily News 8 Jan. 2/6 Oats favour buyers.
5. absolute.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 213 Wel the more God favoureth, Whan he the comun right socoureth. R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 71 Criste favirand.1563 B. Googe Eglogs Epytaphes & Sonettes sig. G.viii Fortune fauoures not, and al thynges backward go.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 217 A Name, While Fortune favour'd, not unknown to Fame.1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 27 Had but fortune favored.
a. To aid, support; to show oneself propitious to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)]
helpc897
filsteOE
filsenc1175
gengc1175
succourc1250
ease1330
to do succourc1374
favour1393
underset1398
supply1428
aid1450
behelp1481
adminiculate?1532
subleve1542
to help a (lame) dog over a stile1546
adjuvate1553
to stand at ——1563
assista1578
opitulate1582
stead1582
bestead1591
help out (also through)1600
serve1629
facilitate1640
auxiliate1656
juvate1708
gammon1753
lame duck1963
piggyback1968
c1595 T. Maynarde Sir Francis Drake his Voy. (1849) 23 God favoringe me, they [the Spanish ships] would have bin mine.
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. B3 Fortune fauours fooles.
a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) ii. 84 They were secretly favoured by Henry IV.
1793 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 143 If Providence should..favour the allied arms.
1885 Manch. Examiner 21 May 6/1 The willingness of the House..to favour its progress.
b. Of a circumstance, fact, etc.: To lend confirmation or support to (a belief, doctrine, rarely, a person); to point in the direction of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate
fasteneOE
i-sothea925
sustainc1325
witness1362
approvec1380
confirmc1384
affirma1393
justifya1393
to bear outa1475
corrobore1485
uphold1485
nourisha1522
underpinc1522
to countenance outa1529
favoura1530
soothe1544
strengthen1548
comfort1593
second1596
accredit1598
evidencea1601
warrantise1600
compact1608
back1612
thickena1616
accreditate1654
shoulder1674
support1691
corroborate1706
carry1835
to give (also lend) colour1921
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain
trowa901
lookc1175
take1469
ascertaina1513
certain1523
favoura1530
establish1533
try1542
try1582
tie1623
secure1630
to make sure1644
true1647
determine1650
determinate1666
authenticate1753
constatea1773
verify1801
validate1957
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prefiguration > prefigure [verb (transitive)]
forecomea1300
to say beforec1384
signifyc1384
pretendc1425
prefigurec1429
preostendc1429
prefigurate1530
prefigurate1530
adumbrate1537
promise1556
premonstrate1562
foresignify1565
presignify1570
shadow1574
foreshadow1577
presage1583
fore-run1590
presign1590
fore-read1591
figure1595
type forth, out1596
fore-point1601
foreshow1601
prophesy1608
foretella1616
foretypea1618
forebode1656
harbingera1657
pretypify1658
pretype1659
forespeak1667
to figure out1721
forecast1883
favour1887
precourse1888
precursea1892
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. CCxv The sentence also of the prophete Osee fauoureth moche (as me semeth) that it sholde be so.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. i. 19 This relation is favoured by the name of Litchfield.
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (xxvii. 12 Annot.) 152/1 The sense favours them there.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 209. ⁋1 Every Circumstance..favoured this Suspicion.
1772 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra II. lxviii. 314 His opinion..appears to favour you.
1808 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 19 105 Seems to favour the opinion of Mr. Pott.
1884 Ld. Selborne in Law Times' Rep. 19 Apr. 229/2 Those cases which favour the doctrine.
1887 C. C. Abbott Waste-land Wanderings ii. 22 Every indication favored rain.
6. Of circumstances, weather, etc.: To prove advantageous to (a person); to be the means of promoting (an operation or process); to facilitate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier
favoura1440
easy1556
facilite1585
facilitate1599
facilize1607
accommodate1611
expedite1614
ease1632
smoothen1661
molliate1701
the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)] > be advantageous or favourable
favoura1440
servea1450
the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > be advantageous or favourable to
favoura1440
serve1532
friend1598
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (a blast) (of the wind [verb (transitive)] > be favourable to
serve?1440
favour1699
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 12 That night not fauouring vs, we cast anchor.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. ii. i. 29 The Wind favours them.
1709 J. Addison Tatler No. 97. ⁋2 The Silence and Solitude of the Place very much favoured his Meditations.
1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner No. 4 No one Place about it weaker than another, to favour an Enemy in his Approaches.
1783 W. Thomson in R. Watson & W. Thomson Hist. Reign Philip III v. 382 The darkness of the night favoured the enterprize.
1833 C. Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 210 The argillaceous stratum..by its yielding nature, favoured the waste and undermining of the..limestone.
1862 D. T. Ansted & R. G. Latham Channel Islands iii. xvi. 379 They had been favoured by the wind.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire ii. 8 The Empire's unity..had favoured the spread of Christianity.
7. To deal gently with; to avoid overtasking (a limb); to ease, save, spare. Now colloquial (esp. in stable parlance) and dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > treat gently
favour1526
baby1873
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use carefully or gently
favour1526
save1847
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. YYYiiiiv Fauour thy body.
1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall sig. C4v A Preacher..must haue his reader at his elbow, to fauor his voice.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 42 When a horse doth stand but firme vpon..three feete..fauoring the other.
1668 S. Pepys Diary 22 Sept. (1976) IX. 314 Walking in the dark in the garden, to favour my eyes.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 150. ⁋12 A thread-bare loose Coat..which..he wore to keep himself warm, and not to favour his under Suit.
a1745 J. Swift in J. E. Worcester Dict. Eng. Lang. He [a painter] has favoured her squint admirably.
1792 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 228/2 He will set his foot on the ground warily, and endeavour to favor it.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. i. 37 This habit..favours my infirmity.
1843 C. M. Goodridge Narr. Voy. South Seas (ed. 5) 55 This [oil-can]..favoured our other cooking apparatus.
1884 Upton Gloss. ‘He seems to favour the off foreleg.’
8. To resemble in face or features; rarely, to resemble generally, have the look of. Now colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after
to bear a resemblance toa1225
semblec1330
resemble1340
to look likec1390
representa1398
belikec1475
assemble1483
express1483
to take after ——1553
figure1567
assimilate1578
besib1596
imitate1601
resemblance1603
respect1604
favour1609
image1726
mirror1820
facsimile1839
turn after ——1848
picture1850
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after > in face or features
favour1609
feature1755
1609 B. Jonson Case is Alterd iii. sig. F2 This young Lord Chamont fauours my mother. View more context for this quotation
1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 176 He favours you in the face.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 398. ⁋1 The Gentleman favoured his Master.
1798 L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 4) App. 242 ‘..The manager, in countenance, favoured his friend’. It should have been, ‘resembled his friend..’.
1866 S. Laycock in Harland Lanc. Lyrics 191 Tha favvers thi dad!
1867 E. Waugh Dulesgate 19 ‘Conto make 'em eawt?’ ‘Nawe..but they favour'n Todmorden chaps’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c1300v.1340