Expressing approval or consent; advantageous or helpful. Giving or indicating a good chance of success.
From Old French 'favorable,' from Latin 'favorabilis,' from 'favor' meaning 'goodwill, kindness.' The root connects to 'favere' meaning 'to show kindness to' or 'support.'
The British spelling with 'u' versus American 'favorable' reflects the broader pattern of British English preserving French-influenced spellings. This word embodies the human tendency to anthropomorphize circumstances - we speak of conditions 'favoring' us as if they had intentional goodwill.
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