3  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  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Prevailing  \Pre*vail"ing\,  a. 
  1.  Having  superior  force  or  influence;  efficacious; 
  persuasive.  --Shak. 
 
  Saints  shall  assist  thee  with  prevailing  prayers. 
  --Rowe. 
 
  2.  Predominant;  prevalent;  most  general;  as  the  prevailing 
  disease  of  a  climate;  a  prevailing  opinion. 
 
  Syn:  Syn.  See  {Prevalent}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  prevailing 
  adj  1:  encountered  generally  especially  at  the  present  time;  "the 
  prevailing  opinion  was  that  a  trade  war  could  be 
  averted";  "the  most  prevalent  religion  in  our  area"; 
  "speculation  concerning  the  books  author  was  rife" 
  [syn:  {prevalent},  {rife}] 
  2:  most  frequent  or  common;  "prevailing  winds"  [syn:  {predominant}] 

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