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Definition of prevail - 5 dictionary results

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


pre⋅vail⋅er, noun


2. preponderate. 3. overcome.


3. lose.
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.

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.
Language Translation for : prevail
Spanish: prevalecer, imponerse,
German: die Oberhand gewinnen,
Japanese: 打ち勝つ

prevail 
1398, from L. prævalere "have greater power," from præ "before" + valere "have power, be strong" (see valiant).

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>
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