From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
xvii. 11.
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So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
xvii. 50.
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This kingdom could never prevail against the united
power of England. --Swift.
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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.
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This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
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3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I
prevailedon him to wait.
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He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
--Clarendon.
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Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
--Swift.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Prevailing \Pre*vail"ing\, a.
1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious;
persuasive. --Shak.
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Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers.
--Rowe.
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2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing
disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.
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Syn: Syn. See {Prevalent}.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
prevailing
adj 1: most frequent or common; "prevailing winds" [syn:
{prevailing}, {prevalent}, {predominant}, {dominant},
{rife}]
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