To be greater in strength or influence; triumph: prevailed against the enemy.
To be or become effective; win out: hoped justice would prevail.
To be most common or frequent; be predominant: a region where snow and ice prevail.
To be in force, use, or effect; be current: an ancient tradition that still prevails.
To use persuasion or inducement successfully. Often used with on, upon, or with. See Synonyms at persuade.
[Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaloir, prevaill-, from Latin praevalēre, to be stronger : prae-, pre- + valēre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots.]
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood" [syn: predominate]
2.
be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
3.
continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of Elvis endures"
4.
prove superior; "The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight"
5.
use persuasion successfully; "He prevailed upon her to visit his parents"
Main Entry: pre·vail Pronunciation: pri-'vAl Function: intransitive verb 1: to obtain substantially the relief or action sought in a lawsuit 2: to be frequent or predominant <the prevailing rate>
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.
Prev"a*lence\, n. [L. praevalentia: cf. F. pr['e]valence. See Prevail.] The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor. The duke better knew what kind of argument were of prevalence with him. --Clarendon.
Prev"a*lent\, a. [L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of praevalere. See Prevail.]1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious. Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that prevalent arms were as good as any title. --Sir W. Raleigh. 2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. This was the most received and prevalent opinion. --Woodward. Syn: Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful. Usage: Prevalent, Prevailing. What customarily prevails is prevalent; as, a prevalent fashion. What actually prevails is prevailing; as, the prevailing winds are west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it actually prevailing.
Val"iant\, a. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, Equivalent, Prevail, Valid.]1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [Obs.] --Walton. 2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave. A valiant and most expert gentleman. --Shak. And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lord's battles. --1 Sam. xviii. 17. 3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. "Thou bearest the highest name for valiant acts." --Milton. [The saints] have made such valiant confessions. --J. H. Newman. -- Val"iant*ly, adv. -- Val"iant*ness, n.
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