adv. [f. as prec. + -LY2.] In a favourable manner.
1. With favour or kindness; graciously, indulgently.
1388. Wyclif, Prol. xi. We moun fauorably excuse hire [Judith] fro deedly synne in this doinge.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VI. viii. 25. He … tretyd þe Scottis favorably.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 314. He had fauourably harde his proctours.
1509. Fisher, Fun. Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. (1876), 298. Why lokest thou fauourably vpon them that despyse the?
1611. Bible, Wisd. vi. 16. For she [wisedome] goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herselfe fauourably vnto them in the wayes, and meeteth them in euery thought.
1665. Boyle, Occasional Reflections, Introd. Pref. (1845), 25. The Thoughts, which have been the favourabliest entertain’d by the Readers of my other Books of Devotion.
1729. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 130. Men … judge too favourably … where themselves and their own interest are concerned.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 98. Hippo had been less favourably treated than the other cities of the province.
1883. A. Roberts, O. T. Revision, ii. 29. It has a claim to be fairly and even favourably considered; and nothing could be more unscientific than to fly off from all that has hitherto been generally believed on any particular point, and to suppose that truth can be reached only by forsaking traditional opinions altogether.
† b. With undue favour or partiality. Obs.
1430–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 339. Som men feyneþ and fauorabliche seiþ þat Seynt Patryk clensed þat lond of wormes and of venemous bestes.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., Stat. Robert III., 52. Inquisitions taken favorablie, and be ignorant persons.
2. In favourable terms, or with a favourable result; to the credit or advantage of a person or thing.
1655. Sir E. Nicholas, in The Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 239. I doe not wonder they write favourably of their Protectors affaires, whos greatnes, as they have ordered it, it concernes them to keepe vp both really and in reputation.
1783. Hailes, Antiq. Chr. Ch., iv. 116. Epictetus had … spoken favourably of the Christians.
1872. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 17. This county [Inyo], mentioned favorably in last year’s report, has steadily advanced in mineral productiveness.
1885. Manch. Exam., 6 Sept., 5/2. Clemenceau’s decision and vigour … contrast favourably with the timid and half-hearted utterances of M. Brisson.
3. Comb.
1854. H. H. Wilson, trans. Rig-veda, II. 158. Creator of the Maruts, favourably-minded towards us, grant us those blessings which are most dear to thee.
