wellfavoured

Wellfavoured is an English adjective historically used to describe someone or something that is favored, fortunate, or in good standing. The form is most commonly written with a hyphen as well-favoured in British English, while American usage tends to favor the variant well-favored. Variant spellings without a hyphen or with different vowel spellings may appear in older manuscripts and regional texts.

Etymology and form: The word combines the adverb well with the past participle favoured (British) or favored (American). The prefix well- serves to intensify or qualify the sense of favor or advantage, typical of compound adjectives in early modern and modern English.

Usage and contexts: In historical writings, portraits, genealogical records, and legal documents, well-favoured frequently described persons as attractive, promising, or in good fortune. It can denote external appearance as well as perceived prospects, and is often found in descriptions of lineage, marriage prospects, or social rank. In contemporary writing, the term is largely confined to discussions of historical language or literary style, and is not common in modern everyday usage.

Notable notes: Wellfavoured is not a proper noun and does not refer to a specific organization, place, or widely recognized concept. When encountered today, it is usually understood as an archaic or literary descriptor, with modern equivalents including well-favored or favorable.

See also: Favor, Favour, well-formed, compound adjectives, historical English spelling.