Prevailed

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Prevail \Pre*vail"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prevailed}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Prevailing}.] [F. pr['e]valoir, 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.
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              When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
              when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
                                                    xvii. 11.
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              So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
                                                    xvii. 50.
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              This kingdom could never prevail against the united
              power of England.                     --Swift.
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     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.
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              This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
              warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
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     3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I
        prevailedon him to wait.
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              He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
                                                    --Clarendon.
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              Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
              constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
                                                    --Swift.
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