Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
Pretoria
pretorian
prettify
pretty
Pretty Good Privacy
pretty-pretty
pretty up
pretzel
prevail
prevail on
prevailing
prevalent
prevaricate
prevenient
prevent
prevent defense
preventative
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "prevail" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

prevail

pre·vail [ pri váyl ] (past and past participle pre·vailed, present participle pre·vail·ing, 3rd person present singular pre·vails)


intransitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. be stronger: to prove to be stronger and in the position of greater influence and power
He prevailed over his enemies.

2. win through: to prove to be effective
Justice will prevail.

3. predominate: to predominate or be the most common or frequent
Sunny skies prevail across the northeast.

4. be current: to remain in general use or effect ( formal )
The old customs still prevail in some parts of the country.

[14th century. < Latin praevalere "be stronger" < valere "be strong"]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft