Prevail
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -eɪl
Origin
From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleÅ ("be very able or more able, be superior, prevail"), from prae ("before") + valeÅ ("be able or powerful").
Full definition of prevail
Verb
- (intransitive) To be superior in strength, dominance, influence or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag.
- Authorized Version, Exodus 17:11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
- (intransitive) To be current, widespread or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.
- (intransitive) To succeed in persuading or inducing.I prevailed on him to wait.