Fa"vor*er (?), n. One who favors; one who regards with kindness or
friendship; a well-wisher; one who assists or promotes success or
prosperity. [Written also favourer.]
And come to us as favorers, not as foes.
Shak.
Fa"vor*ess (?), n. A woman who favors or gives countenance. [Written
also fovouress.]
Fa"vor*ing, a. That favors. -- Fa"vor*ing*ly, adv.
Fa"vor*ite (?), n. [OF. favorit favored, F. favori, fem. favorite, p.
p. of OF. favorir, cf. It. favorito, frm. favorita, fr. favorire to
favor. See Favor.] 1. A person or thing regarded with peculiar favor;
one treated with partiality; one preferred above others; especially,
one unduly loved, trusted, and enriched with favors by a person of high
rank or authority.
Committing to a wicked favorite All public cares.
Milton.
2. pl. Short curls dangling over the temples; -- fashionable in the
reign of Charles II. [Obs.] Farquhar.
3. (Sporting) The competitor (as a horse in a race) that is judged most
likely to win; the competitor standing highest in the betting.
Fa"vor*ite, a. Regarded with particular affection, esteem, or
preference; as, a favorite walk; a favorite child. "His favorite
argument." Macaulay.
Fa"vor*it*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. favoritisme.] The disposition to favor
and promote the interest of one person or family, or of one class of
men, to the neglect of others having equal claims; partiality.
A spirit of favoritism to the Bank of the United States.
A. Hamilton.
Fa"vor*less, a. 1. Unfavored; not regarded with favor; having no
countenance or support.