favor, favour (favor)

[Early mod. E. fa rour; 2159 promote.] 1. Good will; kind regard; counte- 10. A charm; attraction; grace. [Archaic.] nance; friendly disposition; a willingne to aid, support, or defend. This Pope [Clement V.] was Native of Bourdeaux, and so the more regardful of the King's Desire, and the King the more confident of his Favour . Baker , Chronicles, p. 99. But one of the peculiarities of James's character was that no act, however wicked and shameful, which had been prompted by a desire to gain his favour , ever seemed to him deserving of disapprobation. Macaulay , Hist. Eng., vi. Can the favour of the Czar make guiltle the murderer of old men and women and children in Circa ian valleys? A woman sate wepyng, With fauour in here face far pa ynge my res on. Hymns to Virgin , etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 126. Thought and affliction, pa ion, hell itself, She turns to favour , and to prettine . Shak., Hamlet, iv. 5. 11. A letter or written communication: said complimentarily: as, your favor of yesterday's date is to hand. - Challenge to the favor. See challenge, 9. - Marriage favors. See marriage . - To curry favor. See curryl. - To find favor in the eyes of. See eyel . = Syn. 1. Patronage, support, championship. favor, favour (fa'vor), v . [ favoren , favuren, faveren (rarely or never * favouren ), ), faveurer , favor are (cf. OF. rir = 4. Benefit. W. K. Clifford , Lectures, II. 241. 2. The state of favoring or of being favored pred; friendly consideration bestowed or received; ceived; objective regard, aid, support, or behoof: with in: as, to be or act in favor of a person or thing; to resign an office in favor of another; he is in high favor at court or with the people. The inclination of a Prince is best known either by those next about him, and most in favor with him, or by the cur- rent of his own actions. Milton , Eikon ok las tes, i. O that the voice of clamor and debate Were hush'd in favor of thy gen'rous plea! Cowper , Charity, 1. 311. The most distinguished profe ional men bear witne with an overwhelming authority, in favor of a course of education in which to train the mind shall be the first object, and to stock it the second. Gladstone, Might of Right, p. 27. 3. The object of kind regard; the person or thing favored. [Rare.] All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, His chief delight and favour . Milton , P. L., iii. 664. 4. A kind act or office; kindne done or manifested; any act of grace or good will, as distinguished from acts of justice or remuneration. And if thy poor devoted servant may But beg one favour at thy gracious hand, Thou dost confirm his happine for ever. Shak ., Rich. III., i. 2. A favour well bestowed is almost as great an honour to him who confers it as to him who receives it. Steele , Spectator, No 497. Now let me put the boy and girl to school: This is the favour that I came to ask. Tennyson, Enoch Arden. 5. Partial kindne ; biased regard or consid- eration; predilection; partiality: as, ki ing goes by favor ; a fair field and no favor . Unbia 'd or by favour , or by spite; Not dully prepo e 'd, or blindly right. Pope, E ay on Criticism, 1. 633. Let them [women] have a fair field, but let them understand, as the nece ary correlative, that they are to have Huxley , Lay Sermons, p. 25. no favour . 6. Leave; permi ion; indulgence; conce ion. By thy favour , sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face. Shak., L. L. L., iii. 1. I speak it under favour , Not to contrary you, sir. B. Jonson , Volpone, v. 1. But with your favour I will treat it here. Dryden. 7. Advantage; convenience afforded for succe : as, the enemy approached under favor of the night.-8. Something bestowed as a token of good will or of love; a gift or present; hence, a gift, usually from a woman to a man, as a sleeve, glove, or knot of ribbons, to be worn, as a token of friendship or love, at a fair or wedding, in a festive a embly, or habitually, as formerly in knight-errantry. Now specifically favor are (cf. OF. favo It. favorire , favorire ), favor, favor , favor: see favor , n. Cf. favorize .] I. trans. 1. To regard with favor; entertain favor for; be disposed to aid; countenance; befriend; regard or treat with favor or partiality; accommodate: as, to favor the weaker side. There are divers motives drawing men to favour mightily those opinions wherein their persuasions are but weakly settled. Hooker, Eccles. Polity, v., Ded. Then died also Edm. Grind all, Archbishop of Canterbury, who stood highly in the Queen's Favour for a long time, till he lost it at last by favouring (as was said) the Puritans Conventicles. Baker , Chronicles, p. 361. Perceiving musical instruments lying near, he begged to be favoured with a song. Goldsmith, Vicar, v. I pledge her [the Muse], and she comes and dips Her laurel in the wine, And lays it thrice upon my lips, These favour'd lips of mine. Tennyson, Will Waterproof. 2. To be favorable to; facilitate or render easier: as, the darkne of the night favored the enemy's approach. I go about in black, which favors the notion. of disease. Lamb, E ays of Elia, p. 16. As vigorous and systematic exercise is a prime condition of the general health, so the want of it favors the approach Huxley and Youmans , Physiol., § 490. 3. To resemble in features or aspect; look somewhat like. [Now chiefly colloq.] the sonnes of men. Let us leave this family multiplying in numbers, in science, in wickedne e, favouring nothing diuine, or at least nothing but humane in their Diuinitie; therefore called Purchas , Pilgrimage, p. 34. The porter owned that the gentleman favoured his master. Spectator. You do look like the Brand ons; you really favor 'em S. O. Jewett, Deep haven, p. 91. consider'ble. 4. To ease; spare: as, to favor a lame leg. In the evening spent my time walking in the dark, in the garden, to favour my eyes, which I find nothing but ease do help. Pepys , Diary, IV. 26. Pedal evenly and use both legs. Those who have no practical experience will hardly believe how often a rider favours one leg more than the other. Bury and Hillier , Cycling, p. 222. 5. To extenuate; palliate; represent favorably, as in painting or description. He has favoured her squint admirably. Swift . Most favored nation clause. See clause. =Syn. 1. Το patronize, help, a ist. II.t in trans. To have the semblance (of). How little this favours of a Protestant is too easily per Milton , Eikon ok las tes, xx. ceav'd. favorable, favourable (fā'vor-a-bl), a . [ favorabel , favorable favor a = Pr. Sp. favorable = Pg. favor avel = It. favor a bile , favorabilis , favored, in favor, popular, also winning favor, pleasing, favor , favor: see favor . ] Shak ., Hen. V., iv. 7. 1. Kind; friendly; well inclined; manifesting good will or partiality. applied small kinds exchanged tween the partners in the dance called the german. The glove which I have given him for a favour May, haply, purchase him a box o' the ear. There's my glove for a favour. B. Jonson, Cynthia's Revels, iv. 1. Hang all your lady's favours on your crest, And let them fight their shares. Fletcher, Humorous Lieutenant, ii. 2. "Will you wear My favour at this tourney?" "Nay," said he, "Fair lady, since I never yet have worn Favour of any lady in the lists. What is it?" and she told him, "A red sleeve Broider'd with pearls." Tennyson, Lance lot and Elaine. 9. Countenance; appearance; look; features. [Archaic.] In beauty, that of favour is more than that of colour, and that of decent and gracious motion more than that Bacon , Beauty (ed. 1887). of favour . I know your favour well, Though now you have no sea-cap on your head. Shak ., T. N., iii. 4. Get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come. Shak ., Hamlet, v. 1. Folks don't use to meet for amusement with firearms. This, my lady, I say, has an angry favour . Sheridan, The Rivals, v. 1. ... Til tham the world es favorabel . Hampole , Prick of Conscience, 1. 1344. Lend favourable ear to our requests. Shak., Rich. III., iii. 7. I humbly thank your Lordship for the favourable , and indeed too high a Character you please to give of my Survey of Venice. Howell , Letters, iv. 48. 2. Conducive; contributing; tending to promote: as, conditions favorable to population. Nothing is more favourable to the reputation of a writer than to be succeeded by a race inferior to himself. Macaulay , Petrarch. A poetical religion must, it seems, be favorable to art. Gladstone, Might of Right, p. 115. That civilization exerts upon the older societies of the world an influence which is on the whole favorable to physical perfection and longevity has been abundantly Pop. Sci . Mo., XXVI. 224. shown. 3. Convenient; advantageous; affording facilities: as, a favorable position; favorable weather. A favourable gale arose from shore, Which to the port desir'd the Grecian galleys bore. Dryden, tr. of Ovid's Meta morph., xii. 54. Ruffle thy mirror'd mast, and lead Thro' prosperous floods. None more favourable nor more faire Then Clarion. Quoted in Capt . John Smith's Works, I. 107. Speed . Is she not hard favoured , sir? Val . Not so fair, boy, as well favoured . Shak., T. G. of V., ii. 1. A poor virgin, sir, an ill - favoured thing, sir, but mine Shak., As you Like it, v. 4. own. But they must go, the time draws on, And those white - favour'd horses wait. Do not I know you for a favourer Of this new sect? [ favorite, favourite (fa'vor-it), n. and a. OF. favor it , F. favor i , m., favorite , f., = Sp. favor i to , m., favor it a , f., = Pg. favor i to , favor i to , m., favor it a , f., a favorite, prop. pp. of favorire , favor, protect, support, favore , fa- vor.] I. n. 1. A person or thing regarded with peculiar favor, liking, or preference; one who or that which is especially liked or favored. Those neerest to this King, and most his Favorites , were Courtiers and Prelates. Milton , Eikon ok las tes, i. Such Charms as your's are only given To chosen Favourites of Heaven. Prior, To a Young Lady fond of Fortune-Telling. 2. A person who has gained the special favor of or a dominant influence over a superior by unworthy means or for selfish purposes. Favorites of this cla , both male and female, have played an important part in the history of many despotic monarchies, often controlling their destinies with disastrous and even destructive effects. The great man down, you mark, his favourite flies. Shak., Hamlet, iii. 2. A favourite has no friend. Gray, Death of a Favourite Cat. The partiality of the king [Edward II. of England) for his favorites alienated not only his subjects but his queen. Amer . Cyc., VÌ. 434. fay3 (fa), n. [ fay , fee , feie , fae (> D. fee = MHG. fei , feie , G. fee = Dan. Sw.fe), F. fée = Pr. fad a = Sp. had a = Pg. fad a = It. fat a , a fay, fairy, fat a , fem. sing., a fairy, fatum , fate, pl. fat a , the Fates: see fate . Hence fairy, q. v.] A fairy; an elf. See fairy . Elf of eve! and starry fay ! Ye that love the moon's soft light, Hither-hither wend your way. fazzolet (faz'ō-let), n. [ fazzoletto (=OSp. fazoleto ), dim. of fazzolo , fazzuolo , a handker- chief, perhaps vetze , G. fetze , a shred, rag (cf. It. pezzuola , a shred or rag, also a hand- kerchief).] A handkerchief. Percival . F. C. An abbreviation of Free Church (of Scot- land): as, the F. C. Presbytery. F. D. An abbreviation of Fidei Defensor, De- fender of the Faith. See Defender of the Faith , under defender . Fe. The chemical symbol of iron (Latin ferrum ). feab (feb), n. [E. dial., also fabe , feap , fape , and esp. in pl. feabs , fabes , and fae , fay (in comp. feapberry , feaberry , faeberry ); origin ob- scure.] Same as feaberry . feaberry, feapberry (fe'-, fep'ber"i), n.; pl. feaberries, feapberries (-iz). The gooseberry. [Prov. Eng.] O ye Heavens, defend! and turne away From her unto the miscreant him selfe, That neither hath religion nor fay . Ah, sirrah, by my fay , it waxes late; I'll to my rest. =MHG. vegen , G. fegen , cleanse, sweep: see fay2.] I.t trans. 1. To beat or whip. When a knotty point comes I lay my head close to it, with a snuff-box in my hand; and then I feague it away i' faith. Bucking ham , Rehearsal. Heark ye, ye curs, keep off from snapping at my heels, or I shall so feague ye. Otway , Soldier's Fortune (1681). accursed, condemned, rarely timid, feeble, = OS. feg i = D. veeg , about to die, = OHG. feigi , MHG. veige , fated, doomed, accursed, miser- able, timid, G. feig , feige , timid, cowardly, = Icel. feigr , fated, about to die, = Sw. feg = Dan. feig , cowardly (Sw. Dan. sense prob. of G. origin).] 1. About to die; fated; doomed; particularly, on the verge of a sudden or vio- lent death. [Obsolete or Scotch.] "We'll turn again," said good Lord John. "But no," said Rothiemay, "My steed's trapann'd, my bridle's broke, I fear this day I'm fey ." There's fey fowk in our ship, she winna sail for me. Bonnie Annie (Child's Ballads, III. 48). "Puir faint hearted thief," cried the Laird's ain Jock, "There'l nae man die but him that's fie ." Border Minstrelsy, I. 180. There were fey in the fight, of the felle grekes, Eght hundrith thowsaund thro throngyn to dethe. Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 13990. When ich flee fro the body and feye leue the caroygne, Then am ich a spirit spec heles. Piers Plowman (C), xvii. 197. fay6t, n. A Middle English form of foe . fayalite (fi-äl'it), n. [ Fayal (see def.) + -ite2 .] A black, greenish, or brownish, sometimes iri- descent, mineral, consisting mainly of silicate of iron and belonging to the chrysolite group. It is found on the island of Fayal, in cavities in the rhyo- faylet, v . and n. A Middle English form of faill . faylest (falz), n. [See the second extract.] An old game, a kind of backgammon. He's no precisian, that I'm certain of, Nor rigid Roman Catholic. He'll play At fayles and tick-tack; I have heard him swear. No treat, sweet words, good mien, but sly intrigue, That must at length the jilting widow fegue . Wycherley, Love in a Wood, i. 1. II. in trans. To be perplexed. [Prov. Eng.] [Cf. feague , v.] A dirty, sluttish, feaguet, n. idle fellow. Grose. Sir R. Guylforde , Pylgrymage, p. 12. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear . 1 John iv. 18. They, bestill'd Almost to jelly with the act of fear , Stand dumb, and speak not to him. q.v.] To fidget; be restle . feak1t (fēk), n. [ feak1 , v .] 1. A flutter; a sharp twitch or pull.-2. A curl of hair. And can set his face and with his eye can speke And dally with his mistres dangling feake , And wish that he were it, to ki her eye. feak2 (fēk), v . t. [Prob. var. of feague , in orig. (D.) sense 'sweep.'] In hawking , to wipe the beak after feeding. Or, in the night, imagining some fear , How easy is a bush suppos'd a bear. That I had never seen that false man's eyes, That dares reward me thus with fears and curses! Beau . and Fl . , Captain, i. 3. feallt (fe'al), a. [Not found in ME.; feal , feel , feeil , feyal , foial , foyall , etc., fedeil , etc. (mod. F. fidèle ), faithful, true, fidelis , faith- ful, true, fides , faith: see faith , fidelity , and 4. Formidablene ; aptne to cause fear. The tenants by knight's service used to swear to their lords to be feal and leal. Chambers. feal2, a. See feel2 . feals (fel), v. t. [E. dial., felen , fela , hide. See filch .] To hide. [Now only prov. Eng.] IMG:content-1149.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1150.png:[blocks in formation] fealty (fe'al-ti), n. [A partly restored form of ME. feaute, feute , fealte , feelte , feaute , feiaute, feelteit , later feaulte , fidelita ( t- ) s , faithfulne , fidelity: see fidelity and feall .] 1. Fidelity to a lord; faithful adherence of a ten- ant or va al to the superior of whom he holds = Syn. 1. See alarm . -2. Concern, dread.-5. Veneration, IMG:content-1151.png:[blocks in formation] Oath of fealty, under the feudal system, an oath prom- ising fidelity on the part of the va al to his lord, usually given upon investiture of a fee. The oath of fealty taken after homage is given by Brit- ton, lib. iii. c. 4. In case of fealty to the king it is this: "Hear this, ye good people, that I, such a one by name, faith will bear to our lord King Edward from this day for ward, of life and limb, of body and chattels and earthly honour; and the services which belong to him for the fees and tenements which I hold of him, will lawfully perform to him as they become due, to the best of my power, so help me God and the saints." fearl (fer), v. [ feren , færan , fright- en, more commonly in comp. ā - færan , frighten (whence E. afeard , q. v.), = OS. fārōn = D. ver- varen = OHG. färjan , lie in wait, plot against, frighten, = ODan. forfære (Dan. forfærde ) = Sw. förfära , frighten; from the noun: see fear1 , n.] I. trans. 1t. To frighten; affright; terrify; drive away or keep away by fear. Pacientliche, thorgh hus prouynce and to hus peple hym she we, Feden hem and fillen hem and fere hem fro synne. Piers Plowman (C), xviii. 285. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine, Hath fear'd the valiant. Shak ., M. of V., ii. 1. Art not ashamed that any flesh should fear thee? Middle ton , Mad World. Some, sitting on the hatches, would seem there With hideous gazing to fear away fear. Donne , The Storm. 2. To feel a painful apprehension of, as some impending evil; be afraid of; consider or ex- pect with emotions of alarm or solicitude. A beggar with a clouted cloak, In whom I fear'd no ill, What ails this gentlewoman? Alas, I fear she is not well, good gentlewoman! Beau, and Fl ., Coxcomb, iv. 4. Like an animal, a savage fears whatever is strange in appearance or behaviour. H. Spencer , Prin, of Sociol., § 194. IMG:content-1152.png:[blocks in formation] Only I crave the shelter of your closet A little, and then fear me not. IMG:content-1153.png:[blocks in formation] I am borne darkly, fearfully afar! Shelley, Adonais, lv. fearfulne (fēr'fül-nes), n. 1. The quality of being fearful or timorous; timidity; awe; alarm; dread. A third thing that makes a government despised is fear- fulne of, and mean compliances with, bold popular of- fenders. South , Sermons. 2. The quality of causing fear or alarm; dread- fulne . I fear me, that will strike my blo om dead. Tennyson, Lance lot and Elaine. Surely I fear me , midst the ancient gold Base metal ye will light on here and there. William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 141.] fearle (fer'les), a. [ fear1 + -le .] With- 2. To be in anxious uncertainty; doubt. If you shall see Cordelia (As fear not but you shall). Ne're feare , for men must love thee When they behold thy glorie. fear3, feer3 (fer), a . [ME. fere , feore = OFries. fere = OHG. gafuori, MHG. gevüere = Icel. færr , able, capable, fit, serviceable, = Sw. Dan. för , stout; prob. ult. far an (=OHG. far an , etc.), go: see farel and fere4 .] Able; capable; stout; strong; sound: as, hale and fear (whole and entire, well and sound). [Obsolete or Scotch.] Now alle that es fere and unfaye alive of thes fyve hun- dreth ffalles on syr fflorent, a ffyve score knyghttes. feard, feared (fērd), p . a . [Pp. of fear1 , v.; or abbr. of afeard .] Afeard; afraid. [Now only prov. Eng. and Scotch.] The beggar was the feardest man Of one that ever might be. Fellowship and Friendships hest With thy fearers all I hold, Such as hold thy biddings best. I see you all are mute, and stand amaz'd, Fearful to answer me. out fear; bold; courageous; intrepid; un- daunted. And fearle minds climb soonest unto crowns. Shak., 3 Hen. VI., iv. 7. Fearle will I enter here And meet my fate, whatso it be. = Syn. Brave, dauntle , daring, valiant, valorous, gallant. fearle ly (fer'les-li), adv . In a fearle or cou- rageous manner; without fear; intrepidly. Men who so fearle ly expose themselves to this most formidable of perils. Decay of Christian Piety . fearle ne (fēr'les-nes), n. The state or char- acter of being fearle ; freedom from fear; courage; boldne ; intrepidity. He gave instances of an invincible courage and fearle - ne in danger. Clarendon, Great Rebellion. fearlot (fērʻlot), n. A dialectal variant of firlot . fearnaught, fearnought (fer'nât), n. [ dread- naught, 3. fearsome (fer's um), a . [ fear1 + -some.] 1. Causing fear; fearful; frightful; dreadful. Eh! it wad be fearsome to be burnt alive for naething, like as if ane had been a warlock! Scott , Guy Manner ing, xlviii. Who else would have come to see ye in such a fearsome hole as this? Mercy on me, it's like the bottomle pit! W. Black , In Far Lochaber, xii. 2. Timid; apprehensive; frightened: as, "a silly, fearsome thing," B. Taylor . Which would then play, in a fearsome fashion, with The Century, XXVII. 332. fearsomely (fer's um-li), adv . In a fearsome or fear-inspiring manner; fearfully; timidly. feart (fert), p . a . A variant of feard . feasablet, a . See feasible . feasel, v . See feeze1 . fease2t, v. i. See feeze2 . fease-strawt, n. An obsolete perverted form of festue. Beau . and Fl ., King and No King, iii. 1. -bility .) The quality of being feasible or ca- This dre and that by turns you tried, Too fearful that you should not please. Tennyson, Miller's Daughter. 2. Timid; timorous; wanting courage. Durste she not hym diffende, ffor a woman a-loone is feer full. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 428. He... trembled underneath his mighty hand, And like a feare full dog him followed through the land. Spenser, F. Q., VI. xii. 36. What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? Deut. xx. 8. But it is likely, the Chubs will sink down towards the bottom of the water, at the first shadow of your rod (for Chub is the fearfullest of fishes). I. Walton , Complete Angler, p. 68. 3. Causing or such as to cause fear; impre ing fear; frightful; dreadful; terrible; awful. He was a ferfull freke, in fas to beholde; And mony ledes with his loke laithet full euyll! Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 7725. That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD. Deut. xxviii. 58. Oh, mother, these are fearful hours! speak gently To these fierce men; they will afford you pity. pable of execution; practicability. feasible (fē'zi-bl), a . and n. [Formerly also feasable , feazable , faisible ; fai- sable , that may be done, faire (ppr. faisant ), do: see fact .] I. a . Capable of being done, performed, or effected; that may be accom- plished or carried out; practically po ible: as, the project is attractive, but not feasible . To require tasks not faisible is tyran i call, and doth onely picke a quarrell to punish; they could neither make straw nor find it, yet they must have it. Bp . Hall , Afflictions of Israel. I thought now was my time to make my Escape, by get- ting leave, if po ible, to stay here: for it seemed not very feazable to do it by stealth. Dampier , Voyages, I. 481. Fair although and feasible it seem, Depend not much upon your golden dream. We are bound to suggest to these unfortunates, who look to us for advice, some feasible plan. W. Phillips, Speeches, p. 81. II. n. That which is practicable. Hence it is that we conclude many things within the list of impo ibilities which yet are easie feasibles. Glanville, Vanity of Dogmatizing, xii. feasiblene (fē'zi-bl-nes), n. Feasibility; practicability. Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make, To keep our great Saint George's feast withal. 2. A sumptuous entertainment or repast of which a number of guests partake; particu- larly, a rich or splendid public entertainment. The governor of the feast called the bridegroom. John ii. 9. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place. Shak ., T. of A., iii. 6. Last Wednesday I gave a feast in form to the Hertfords. Walpole , Letters, II. 430. Tennyson, Lover's Tale, iv. And Julian made a solemn feast ; I never Sat at a costlier. 3. Any rich, delicious, or abundant repast or meal; hence, something delicious or highly agreeable, or in which some delectable quality abounds. He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast . Prov. xv. 15. A perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, Where no crude surfeit reigns. Rise from the feast of sorrow, lady, Where all day long you sit between Joy and woe, and whisper each. The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: Dictionary IMG:content-1155.png:[blocks in formation] to show gladne ; pay flattering attention; give friendly tum, deed, fact: see fact, of which feat1 is a entertainment. I lykne hir to the scorpioun, That ys a fals, flateyrynge beste, For with his hede he maketh feste, But al amydde his flaterynge, With his tayle hyt wol stynge And envenyme, and so wol she. Chaucer, Death of Blanche, 1. 638. =Syn. 2. Feast, Banquet, Festival. The idea of a social meal of unusual richne or abundance, for the purposes of pleasure, may be common to these words. Feast is generic; specifically, it differs from banquet in the fact that at a feast the food is abundant and choice, while at a banquet there is richne or expensivene , and especially pomp or ceremony. The e ential characteristic of a fes tival is concurrence in the manifestation of joy, the joyous celebration of some event, feasting being a frequent but not nece ary part: as, to hold high festival. See carou sall. IMG:content-1156.png:[blocks in formation] Pagan converts whose idolatrous worship had been made up of sacred festivals , and who very readily abused these to gro riot, as appears from the censure of St. Paul. Emerson, The Lord's Supper.