prev·a·lent

[prev-uh-luhnt]
adjective
1.
widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
2.
having the superiority or ascendancy.
3.
Archaic. effectual or efficacious.

Origin:
1570–80; < Latin praevalent- (stem of praevalēns), present participle of praevalēre to prevail. See pre-, -valent

prev·a·lence, prev·a·lent·ness, noun
prev·a·lent·ly, adverb
non·prev·a·lent, adjective
non·prev·a·lent·ly, adverb
un·prev·a·lent, adjective
un·prev·a·lent·ly, adverb


1. common, extensive. See current.


1. rare.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
prevalent (ˈprɛvələnt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  widespread or current
2.  superior in force or power; predominant
 
[C16 (in the sense: powerful): from Latin praevalens very strong, from praevalēre: see prevail]
 
'prevalence
 
n
 
'prevalentness
 
n
 
'prevalently
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

prevalent
1570s, "having great power or force," from L. praevalentem (nom. praevalens), prp. of praevalere "to be more able" (see prevail). Meaning "extensively existing, in general use" is from 1650s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The most prevalent look is ultralong and lean, part of the geometry that is
  imprinting current fashion.
Bodies are blasted apart, blood is splattered on the screen and profanity is as
  prevalent as the plentiful weapon caches.
Retail loyalty schemes are becoming ever more sophisticated and prevalent.
They are especially prevalent in tropical forests, where they may be up to half
  of all the insects living in some locations.
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