favour

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
favour /ˈfeɪvə(r)/ (US favor)

▶noun

• 1 approval or liking.

  ■ unfair preferential treatment.

  ■ archaic a thing such as a badge that is given or worn as a mark of favour or support.

• 2 an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.

  ■ (one's favours) dated a woman's consent to a man having sexual intercourse with her.

• 3 (also party favor) N. Amer. a small inexpensive gift given to party guests.

▶verb

• 1 regard or treat with favour.

  ■ give unfairly preferential treatment to.

  ■ work to the advantage of.

• 2 (favour someone with) give someone (something desired).

• 3 informal resemble (a relative) in facial features.

– phrases
in favour of

• 1 to be replaced by.

• 2 in support or to the advantage of.

– derivatives
favourer noun.

– origin ME: via OFr. from L. favor, from favere ‘show kindness to’.