PREVAILING

prevailing, prevalent, predominant, dominant, rife

(adjective) most frequent or common; “prevailing winds”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Adjective

prevailing (comparative more prevailing, superlative most prevailing)

Predominant; of greatest force.

Prevalent, common, widespread.

Synonyms

• (prevalent, common, widespread): pervasive, ubiquitous; see also widespread

Verb

prevailing

present participle of prevail

Source: Wiktionary

Pre*vail"ing, a.

1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive. Shak. Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers. Rowe.

2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.

Syn. See Prevalent.

PREVAIL

Pre*vail", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prevailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prevailing.] Etym: [F. prévaloir, 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition