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prevalent |
2 definitions found 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 1.6 [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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