Category:Prevalent

Prev"a*lent, a. Etym: [l. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of praevalere. See prevail.]

1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, Influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; Victorious. Brennus told the roman embassadors, that prevalent arms were as good As any title. Sir w. Raleigh.

2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or Practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; Prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. This was the most received and prevalent opinion. Woodward.

Syn. -- prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful. -- prevalent, prevailing. What customarily prevails is prevalent; As, a prevalent fashion. What actually prevails is prevailing; as, The prevailing winds are west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and More pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is Sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently To be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it Actually prevailing.