Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - favor

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin, from favere to be ~able; perhaps akin to Old High German gouma attention, Old Church Slavic goveti to revere  Date: 14th century  1.  a.  (1) friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior  (2) approving consideration or attention ; approbation  b. partiality  c. archaic leniency  d. archaic permission  e. popularity  2. archaic  a. appearance  b.  (1) face  (2) a facial feature  3.  a. gracious kindness; also an act of such kindness did you a ~  b. archaic aid, assistance  c. plural effort in one's behalf or interest ; attention  4.  a. a token of love (as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously  b. a small gift or decorative item given out at a party  c. badge  5.  a. a special privilege or right granted or conceded  b. sexual privileges — usually used in plural  6. archaic letter  7. behalf, interest  II. transitive verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Date: 14th century  1.  a. to regard or treat with ~  b.  (1) to do a kindness for ; oblige  (2) endow  c. to treat gently or carefully ~ed her injured leg  2. to show partiality toward ; prefer  3.  a. to give support or confirmation to ; sustain  b. to afford advantages for success to ; facilitate good weather ~ed the outing  4. to bear a resemblance to he ~s his father  • ~er noun