prevail

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   use persuasion successfully

   I prevailed upon you to visit my parents.

2. 2
   verb

   prove superior

   The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight

3. 3
   verb

   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.

4. 4
   verb

   To triumph; to be victorious.

   There are a number of SCPs and tales that look at potential apocalypses, but rarely with such totality as SCP-2935, a parallel dimension in which death prevailed.

5. 5
   verb

   To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.

   In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.

6. 6
   verb

   To succeed in persuading or inducing.

   I prevailed on him to wait.

7. 7
   verb

   be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

8. 8
   verb

   continue to exist

Etymology

From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”). Displaced native Old English rīcsian.