Search Result for "prevail": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (5)

1. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
- Example: "Money reigns supreme here"
- Example: "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
[syn: predominate, dominate, rule, reign, prevail]

2. be valid, applicable, or true;
- Example: "This theory still holds"
[syn: prevail, hold, obtain]

3. continue to exist;
- Example: "These stories die hard"
- Example: "The legend of Elvis endures"
[syn: prevail, persist, die hard, run, endure]

4. prove superior;
- Example: "The champion prevailed, though it was a hard fight"
[syn: prevail, triumph]

5. use persuasion successfully;
- Example: "He prevailed upon her to visit his parents"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
            when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
                                                  xvii. 11.
      [1913 Webster]

            So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
                                                  xvii. 50.
      [1913 Webster]

            This kingdom could never prevail against the united
            power of England.                     --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
            warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I
      prevailedon him to wait.
      [1913 Webster]

            He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
                                                  --Clarendon.
      [1913 Webster]

            Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
            constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
                                                  --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

prevail
    v 1: be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
         "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this
         neighborhood" [syn: predominate, dominate, rule,
         reign, prevail]
    2: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
       [syn: prevail, hold, obtain]
    3: continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of
       Elvis endures" [syn: prevail, persist, die hard, run,
       endure]
    4: prove superior; "The champion prevailed, though it was a hard
       fight" [syn: prevail, triumph]
    5: use persuasion successfully; "He prevailed upon her to visit
       his parents"