predilection (n.)

"a prepossession of the mind in favor of something," 1742, from French prédilection (16c.), noun of action from Medieval Latin praedilectus, past participle of prediligere "prefer before others," from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + diligere "choose, love" (see diligent). The verb predilect (1774) is rare or obsolete.