2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Prevail \Pre*vail"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prevailed}; p. pr &
vb n. {Prevailing}.] [F. pr['e]valoir, OF prevaleir L.
praevalere prae before + valere to be strong, able, or
worth. See {Valiant}.]
1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain
the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to
succeed; -- sometimes with over or against.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
xvii. 11.
So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
xvii. 50.
This kingdom could never prevail against the united
power of England. --Swift.
2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be
predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain;
as the practice prevails this day
This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
3. To persuade or induce; -- with on upon or with as I
prevailedon him to wait.
He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
--Clarendon.
Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
--Swift.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
prevail
v 1: be larger in number, quantity, or importance; "Money reigns
supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this
neighborhood" [syn: {predominate}, {dominate}, {rule}, {reign}]
2: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
[syn: {hold}, {obtain}]
3: cease to exist after resistance or a struggle; "These
stories die hard" [syn: {persist}, {die hard}, {run}, {endure}]
4: prove superior; "The champion prevailed, though it was a
hard fight" [syn: {triumph}]
5: use persuasion successfully; "He prevailed upon her to visit
his parents"
more about prevail
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