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Prevailing

 - 6 dictionary results

pre⋅vail⋅ing

  [pri-vey-ling]
Use Prevailing in a Sentence
–adjective
1. predominant: prevailing winds.
2. generally current: the prevailing opinion.
3. having superior power or influence.
4. effectual.
Origin:
1580–90; prevail + -ing 2

Related forms:
pre⋅vail⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅vail⋅ing⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. preponderant, preponderating, dominant; prevalent. 2. common. See current. 4. effective.

Antonyms:
2. rare.

pre⋅vail

  [pri-veyl]
–verb (used without object)
1. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally: Silence prevailed along the funeral route.
2. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate: Green tints prevail in the upholstery.
3. to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually fol. by over): They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.
4. to succeed; become dominant; win out: to wish that the right side might prevail.
5. to use persuasion or inducement successfully: He prevailed upon us to accompany him.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME prevayllen to grow very strong < L praevalēre to be more able, equiv. to prae- pre- + valēre to be strong; see prevalent

Related forms:
pre⋅vail⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2. preponderate. 3. overcome.

Antonyms:
3. lose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Prevailing
pre·vail   (prĭ-vāl')   
intr.v.   pre·vailed, pre·vail·ing, pre·vails

  1. To be greater in strength or influence; triumph: prevailed against the enemy.

  2. To be or become effective; win out: hoped justice would prevail.

  3. To be most common or frequent; be predominant: a region where snow and ice prevail.

  4. To be in force, use, or effect; be current: an ancient tradition that still prevails.

  5. 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.]
pre·vail'er n.
pre·vail·ing   (prĭ-vā'lĭng)   
adj.  

  1. Most frequent or common; predominant.

  2. Generally current; widespread.

pre·vail'ing·ly adv., pre·vail'ing·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives denote what exists or is encountered generally at a particular time. Prevailing applies to what is most frequent or common at a certain time or in a certain place: took a poll to find the prevailing opinion.
Prevalent suggests widespread existence or occurrence but does not imply predominance: a belief that was prevalent in the Middle Ages.
Current often stresses the present time and is frequently applied to what is subject to frequent change: current psychoanalytic theories.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prevail 
1398, from L. prævalere "have greater power," from præ "before" + valere "have power, be strong" (see valiant).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

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 prevailing rate>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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