browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
prevailing |
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}]
more about prevailing