Small favourite I note (6)
I believe the answer is:
petite
'small' is the definition.
('petite' can be similar in meaning to 'small')
'favourite i note' is the wordplay.
'favourite' becomes 'pet' ('pet' can be a synonym of 'favourite').
'note' becomes 'te' (**).
'pet'+'i'+'te'='PETITE'
(Other definitions for petite that I've seen before include "Attractively small" , "Small, slim (girl)" , "Short" , "Small and attractive" , "Small and dainty from France" .)