Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prevalent"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Prevalent \Prev"a*lent\, a. [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.

Usage: {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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

prevalent
adj : encountered generally especially at the present time; "the
prevailing opinion was that a trade war could be
averted"; "the most prevalent religion in our area";
"speculation concerning the books author was rife"
[syn: {prevailing}, {rife}]


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