prevail

Prevail is a verb with multiple related senses. In its core meaning, to prevail is to prove superior or to achieve victory in a contest, dispute, or conflict: The team finally prevailed over its rivals. It can also mean to become widespread or predominant: Tradition prevails in the village. In law, a party prevails when it obtains the favorable outcome of a case. The phrase prevail upon (or prevail on) someone is a formal way to say persuade or induce someone to do something, as in They attempted to prevail upon him to sign the agreement.

Etymology and development: The word derives from Old French prevailer, later prévaloir in French, from Latin praevalere, built from prae- meaning before and valere meaning to be strong. English usage dates to the Middle English period, retaining the core sense of strength or advantage before opposition.

Usage notes: Prevail is often followed by over or against to indicate overcoming opposition. The related noun is prevalence, and the adjective prevailing describes something that is dominant or widespread, as in prevailing winds or prevailing opinions. In legal contexts, the term prevailing party designates the side that wins on the merits, while prevailing in a debate implies success in making one’s position more convincing.

See also: prevalence, prevalent, prevailing wind, prevailing party.