favoured

the word 'favoured' is built upon the noun 'favour', which entered english from anglo-norman 'favur', itself derived from latin 'favor' (goodwill, partiality). the latin term originates from the verb 'favere' meaning 'to show kindness to, to favour'. the addition of the adjectival suffix '-ed', of old english origin, transforms the noun into a participle describing the state of having received favour or possessing favoured characteristics. thus, the term's logic moves from the concrete act of showing kindness to the abstract state of being preferred or endowed with specific, often advantageous, traits.

Structure: favour + ed favour (from latin, via anglo-norman and middle english, meaning 'goodwill, partiality, kindness'); ed (from old english, a suffix forming adjectives from nouns or verbs, indicating possession of a quality)