In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
20 September 2024
NECESSITATE
(verb) require as useful, just, or proper; “It takes nerve to do what she did”; “success usually requires hard work”; “This job asks a lot of patience and skill”; “This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice”; “This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert”; “This intervention does not postulate a patient’s consent”
Coffee Trivia
