Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
personification of the west wind in Roman mythology, from Latin Favonius, which de Vaan suggests is cognate with the god-name Faunus (see faun), from a prehistoric noun meaning "who favors" (see favor (n.)):\n\nThis also yields a good semantic motivation: the wind that stimulates vegetation can be called favourable. Favonius was regarded by the Romans as the herald of spring and the start of new vegetation (e.g. Cato Agr. 50.1, Cicero Ver. 5.27, Lucretius
11, Vitruvius
9.1).\n\nThe Latin word is the source (via Old High German phonno, 10c., via Vulgar Latin contraction *faonius) of German Föhn "warm, dry wind blowing down Alpine valleys." Related: Favonian.
Wikipedia
Favonius was a Roman nomen, meaning "favorable". It applied to a number of Roman mythological and historical figures:
- Favonius, one of the Roman wind gods, who held dominion over plants and flowers and was generally equated with the Greek god Zephyrus (his 'return' in early February signaled the coming of Spring in Rome).
- Marcus Favonius, a politician during the fall of the Roman Republic.
- Favonius Eulogius, a Carthaginian rhetor who was contemporary with Augustine of Hippo and wrote Disputatio de somnio Scipionis.
- Marcus Favonius Facilis, a centurion of Legion XX who died in Britain (probably at Camulodunum) and whose tombstone is displayed in Colchester museum.
See also:
- Favonius (butterfly), a genus of butterflies.
- Favonius (horse), winner of the 1871 Epsom Derby.
- Favonius.com (website), eclectic pages devoted to model flying.
Favonius is a Palearctic genus of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.
Favonius (1868–1877) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1871 to 1873 he ran ten times and won five races. In June 1871 he won the Epsom Derby on his second racecourse appearance. He went on to prove himself a top class stayer, winning the Goodwood Cup in 1872. Favonius was regarded by contemporary observers as one of the best English-trained horses of his era. At the end of the 1873 season he was retired to stud but had little chance to make an impact as a stallion before his death four years later. Favonius’s Derby win was one of the highlights of what became known as “The Baron’s Year”, in which his owner, Baron Meyer de Rothschild won four of the five British Classic Races.
Usage examples of "favonius".
Septimus Favonius joined them, he suggested that they all go to the baths and Mallius Lepus whispered to von Harben that his uncle was already itching to exhibit his new find.
Fupus left the garden, but the malevolent glances that he shot at Favonius, Lepus, and Erich boded them no good.
Take it with you and read it at your leisure, for while you shall remain with Septimus Favonius, whom with Mallius Lepus I shall hold responsible for you, every day you shall come to the palace and I shall dictate to you the history of my rein.
Jupiter, unless I am mistaken, Septimus Favonius will thank me for bringing such a find.
Septimus Favonius you will have others to do your bidding, but doubtless you will want to have your own body-servant as well.
Jupiter strike me dead if the guests of Septimus Favonius do not say that I have made a find indeed.
Harben passed through the home of Septimus Favonius on his way to the garden court, he was impressed by the peculiar blending of various cultures in the architecture and decoration of the home.
Septimus Favonius had left the garden and von Harben took advantage of the fact to examine his surroundings more closely.
Fulvus Fupus, who accepts the hospitality of Septimus Favonius so often that he feels free to criticize another guest.
The main entrance led to a large court where the warmth with which the party was greeted by a number of patrons of the Baths already congregated there attested to the popularity of Favonius, his daughter, and his nephew, while it was evident to von Harben that there was less enthusiasm manifested for Fulvus Fupus.
Know you not that Septimus Favonius is high in the favor of the Emperor?
Go, now, with Septimus Favonius and at this hour tomorrow attend again upon Caesar.
He is also suspicious, for he knows that he is not popular, and Fulvus Fupus had evidently almost succeeded in bringing your doom upon you and ruin to Favonius and myself before we arrived.
Harben, as the face of the daughter of Favonius presented itself to his mind.
I knew something of the man, otherwise there is a chance for me to get into serious trouble, which might conceivably react upon you and Septimus Favonius, whom Caesar has made responsible for me.