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favor

Etymology and origin of the Latin word favor

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*bʰh₂u̯-eh₁-)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈfa.wɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfaː.vor][1]

Forms

favor m (genitive favōris); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin faveō (“to be favourable”) + -or.[2][3] De Vaan derives faveō from Proto-Italic *faw-ē-, Proto-Indo-European *bʰh₂u̯-eh₁- (“to be favourable to”), and compares Old Irish báe (“profit, benefit”).[4] Etymonline says Cicero coined it, and Lewis & Short cite a remark that Cicero regarded it as new.[5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero, in the Pro Sestio, speaks of a man led by rumour and, as they say, the favour of the people.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was goodwill towards a person or thing, and above all popular favour, as Cicero praises the favour the actor Panurgus brought to the stage.[2][7] It also meant partiality in a dispute, as Livy speaks of suspicion of favour towards the king, keen support for a cause, and the display of favour, applause, even fanatic admiration for an actor.[2] Lewis & Short note that it is rare in Cicero, absent in Caesar and frequent from the Augustan period.[6]

In medieval Latin it meant goodwill and benefit, and in feudal law the lord's consent to the sale of a fief.[8][9] British writers also used it of a favour or boon.[10] English favor is recorded around 1300.[5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of popular favour.[2][3]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of partiality and support.[2][3]
  • c. 1300 – English favor is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Goodwill, favour.[2][1]
  2. Popular favour.[2]
  3. Partiality.[2][1]
  4. Keen support.[2][1]
  5. Applause, an enthusiastic reception.[2]
  6. (Medieval Latin) A lord's consent to the sale of a fief; a boon.[9][10]

Word family

  • favōrābilis
  • favōrātus
  • faveō
  • fautor
  • English favor

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  8. ^ Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  10. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Cite this entry

“Favor.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/favor. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·