prevailv.

Brit.

/prᵻˈveɪl/, U.S.

/priˈveɪl/,

/prəˈveɪl/

Forms: Middle English preayle (transmission error), Middle English preuaille, Middle English preuayll, Middle English preuaylle, Middle English prevaille, Middle English prevayl, Middle English prevayll, Middle English prevaylle, Middle English provaile, Middle English provayle, Middle English–1600s preuaile, Middle English–1600s preuale, Middle English–1600s preuayle, Middle English–1600s prevaile, Middle English–1600s prevayle, Middle English–1700s prevale, Middle English– prevail, 1500s preuayl, 1500s preueyle, 1500s prevalle, 1500s–1600s preuail, 1600s preueail, 1600s preuailld (past tense); Scottish pre-1700 pervale, pre-1700 praeuaill, pre-1700 pravail, pre-1700 pravale, pre-1700 pravill, pre-1700 preuail, pre-1700 preuaile, pre-1700 preuaill, pre-1700 preuale, pre-1700 preueall, pre-1700 prevaile, pre-1700 prevaill, pre-1700 preval, pre-1700 prevale, pre-1700 preveall, pre-1700 prevele, pre-1700 prevell, pre-1700 prewaile, pre-1700 prewaill, pre-1700 prewale, pre-1700 privelayt (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 1700s– prevail, pre-1700 1800s preveal.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French prévaloir; Latin praevalēre.

Etymology: < Middle French prévaloir, (occasionally) prévaler (intransitive) to have the advantage, prevail, dominate (c1372–4; also prévaloir sur to prevail over (15th cent.); French prévaloir ) and its etymon classical Latin praevalēre to have superior force, weight, or influence, to have the upper hand, prevail, (of medicines, remedies) to be effective, in post-classical Latin also to prevail over, dominate (late 2nd or early 3rd cent. in Tertullian) < prae- pre- prefix + valēre vail v.¹ Compare Italian prevalere (a1306).With sense 4c compare French se prévaloir (a1600). With the form history compare vail v.¹, avail v., which probably influenced this word. With the Middle English forms provaile , provayle compare discussion at pre- prefix.

†1. intransitive. To become very strong; to gain vigour or force; to increase in strength. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > become strong (of the body or its parts) [verb (intransitive)]

prevaila1398

stiff1399

enablec1420

storkenc1425

the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)] > gain vigour or strength

prevaila1398

convailc1500

to gather heada1593

liven1739

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Tollem. MS.) iv. ix By the benefyte of bloudde all the lymmes of the body prevayle and be fedde [L. vigent et nutriuntur].

a1540 R. Barnes Lawfull for Priestes to marry Wiues in W. Tyndale et al. Wks. (1573) ii. 332/2 We see that nowe hee is preuayled in mischief.

1568 (a1500) Colkelbie Sow ii. 93 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 299 Into the first orising of it to tell Or it prevelit planeist and popelus quhair now pareiss citie is situat thus.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 91 Teach me..Why flowing Tides prevail upon the Main, And in what dark Recess they shrink again.

1755 E. Young Centaur i. 2 Prevails not Infidelity as much as Pleasure? And for-ever they must prevail, or decrease, together.

a. intransitive. To be effectual or efficacious; to be successful; to succeed. Now rare except as passing into sense 3a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious [verb (intransitive)]

workOE

availa1400

makea1400

prevaila1400

to hit the nail upon (or on) the headc1450

effect1592

serve1593

to tickle it1601

take1611

executea1627

to have force (to do)1713

answer1721

to take place1789

to do the trick1819

to hit (also go to, touch, etc.) the spot1836

produce1881

to press (also push) the button1890

to come through1906

to turn the trick1933

to make a (also the) point1991

society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)] > succeed in influencing

prevaila1400

to prevail withc1450

carrya1616

to prevail upon1656

a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 305 (MED) Þer is seid a cauterie pole [read potentiale] whanne it is not hoot in felinge, & þat cauterie preuailiþ wiþouten brennynge, as herbis [L. calidum non est actu, neque comburit].

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 241 (MED) Cleopatra folowede themperour Octouian, that sche myȝhte inclyne his herte to fullefille the pleasure of the flesche with her, Whiche preuaylenge not [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. Sche myȝte nouȝt spede; L. minime prævalens], was commaunded to kepenge.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xii. f. cxxxix^v Ye se that we prevayle no thynge: loo all the worlde goth after hym.

1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ee.ii [He] proued many remedies, but all preuayled not.

1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron I. i. i. f. 11 I came hither to no other end, but onely to chastise and admonish them in friendly manner... I should haue preuailed therein, had not this violently sicknesse hindered mine intention.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 41 Songs..Prevail as much..As would a plump of trembling Fowl, that rise Against an Eagle.

1763 F. Brooke Hist. Lady Julia Mandeville I. 175 He goes with us; Lady Julia's eyes have prevailed; she had seduced him before I went down.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Supposed Confessions 99 But why Prevailed not thy pure prayers?

1917 T. S. Eliot Prufrock & Other Observ. 20 You will go on, and when you have prevailed You can say: at this point many a one has failed.

1996 City Paper (Baltimore) 22 May 35/3 They're about underdogs who face seemingly insurmountable odds and despite all logic, prevail.

†b. transitive with infinitive. To succeed or manage (to do something). Obsolete.Frequently implying the overcoming of opposition; cf. sense 3a.

ΚΠ

1446 Recantation John Bredon of Coventry f. 91 (MED) The said Priour and covente shuld not prevaile to haue the said custoum.

1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iv. ii Oh, cruell wight, shulde any cause prevaile To make the staine thy hands with brothers blod?

1609 Bible (Douay) I. Eccl. l. 5 He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people.

1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 18 If they prevail to perswade the people of the necessity of practice, in so doing they put on them both the misbelief and the mispractice.

1714 Earl of Oxford in J. Swift Wks. (1778) XV. 108 I may prevail to renew your licence of absence, conditionally you will be present with me.

1764 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) II. 81 Neither he, nor his ministers, could prevail to alter the resolutions of his society.

1849 H. D. Thoreau Week Concord & Merrimack Rivers 359 The poet will prevail to be popular in spite of his faults.

1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters III. 339 If again petty jealousies..prevail to unknit their hands from the armoured grasp.

c. intransitive. To succeed in persuading, inducing, or influencing; usually as to prevail on, to prevail upon, or †to prevail with (someone).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon

wina1340

persuadec1450

to prevail withc1450

prevail1466

train1549

overswaya1586

oppugn1596

overrulea1616

reach1637

to prevail upon1656

to gain upon1790

convince1958

society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)] > succeed in influencing

prevaila1400

to prevail withc1450

carrya1616

to prevail upon1656

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 172 (MED) So mekull Þis þoght prevaylid so on hym þat, with-in a litle while after, he made hym a freer.

1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xxv. f. 233 The reasons of Rhomeo so much preuailed with Iulietta, as she made him this answer.

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 25 I so preuailed with him, as he let me haue it.

1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. 2 Enquiring what manner of disputes they were wherewith Socrates prevail'd so much upon the young men.

1708 J. Swift Elegy on Partridge in Wks. (1755) II. i. 158 I prevailed with myself to go and see him.

1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 67. ⁋6 I was prevailed upon by her and her Mother to go last Night to one of his Balls.

1805 E. Clark Banks of Douro II. 118 They could not prevail with her to stay.

1846 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 II. v. 220 The Peshwa..endeavoured to prevail upon the Resident to grant a longer interval.

1881 A. Trollope Ayala's Angel III. lviii. 188 Mr. Traffick undertook to prevail with him to give an adequate fortune to his youngest daughter on her marriage with Captain Batsby.

1932 G. F.-H. Berkeley Italy in Making I. xiv. 199 Charles Albert improved his already good relations with the Holy See by prevailing upon Gregory XVI to re-establish the Papal Nunciature at Turin.

1994 Daily Tel. 26 Aug. 7/8 He prevailed on Air Marshal Harris to allow him to fly one more time and he was killed on a pathfinding mission.

d. transitive. To persuade or influence (a person); to induce to do something. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon

wina1340

persuadec1450

to prevail withc1450

prevail1466

train1549

overswaya1586

oppugn1596

overrulea1616

reach1637

to prevail upon1656

to gain upon1790

convince1958

1466 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 334 Richard Calle hath nyere conqueryd youre vncle Will wyth fayre promyse twochyng hys lyflode and othere thyngys the whych shold prevayll hym gretly, as he sayth.

c1475 (?c1451) Bk. Noblesse (Royal) (1860) 3 The anguisshes, troubles, and divisions..may not prevaile them to the repairing and wynnyng of any soche manere outrageous losses to this Reaume.

1586 Ld. Burghley Let. 8 Sept. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 6 Morgan prevaled hir to renew hir intelligence with Babyngton.

1664 J. Howell tr. J. Nadányi Florus Hungaricus 105 They flew to their Arms, and killed all the Germans they met.., which Bloody Fury lasted till a certain Monk prevailed them to surcease it.

1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. i. viii. 52 His Partner, who was..afterwards prevailed to dance with him.

1834 Tracts for Times No. 40. 2 Those who were most likely to be prevailed to act upon the principles of it.

1948 J. A. Farley Jim Farley's Story v. 41 Swope was prevailed to go along to render public service.

†e. intransitive. to prevail to (a thing): to succeed in attaining or achieving. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > succeed in doing anything

wina1300

covera1375

gaina1375

to prevail to1474

to make shift of1504

attain1523

obtaina1529

frame1545

procure1559

to finish to1594

succeed1839

1474–5 in Cal. Proc. Chancery Queen Elizabeth (1830) II. p. lvii The said Richard..coude not prevaile to his said feyned title.

a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 109 Let no Popish Doctor prevail to the abatement of this holy sorrow.

a. intransitive. To be superior in strength or influence; to have or gain superiority, advantage, or mastery against, over, †of, or †upon an opponent, rival, etc.; to be victorious.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)]

risec1175

to have the higher handa1225

to have the besta1393

bettera1400

vaila1400

to win or achieve a checka1400

surmount1400

prevaila1425

to have (also get) the better handa1470

to go away with it1489

to have the besta1500

to have (also get, etc.) the better (or worse) end of the staff1542

to have ita1616

to have (also get) the laugh on one's side1672

top1718

beat1744

to get (also have) the right end of the stick1817

to have the best of1846

to go one better1856

a1425 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Dulwich Coll.) 1872 (MED) Her cumpany may preuayle.

?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 224 Whan Aȝens þe..he may not preuayll.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxii. 161 In tyme of fight..If you prevayle you shall attayne the fame Of hye honour.

1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Ciij Hell gates shall not prevayle ageinste them.

1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. iii. f. 27 His men preuailed of their enemies.

1594 2nd Rep. Dr. Faustus xxviii. sig. K2 So much the Christian preuailed vpon the Turke in three houres and a halfes fight.

1650 T. Hubbert Pilula 46 Great is truth, and it shall prevaile.

1692 W. Marshall Gospel Myst. Sanctif. (1764) 328 In Christ God's mercy prevails high above our sins.

1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. i. 23 Cool Self-love is prevailed over by Passion and Appetite.

1789 Triumphs Fortitude I. 22 Wherever those of the fashionable world assemble, in spite of all they can do to rusticate, Art will generally appear to prevail over Nature.

1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 358 The intention of the devisor must prevail.

1895 Law Times 100 5/2 The title of the assignee was..held to prevail over that of the trustee.

1959 B. Wootton Social Sci. & Social Pathol. i. 21 The claims of uniformity and comparability seemed to prevail over those of up-to-dateness.

2005 Booklist (Nexis) 15 Nov. 4 ‘The Trial’ discusses how Jackson prevailed against child molestation charges.

†b. transitive. Scottish. To be superior to; to outstrip or surpass (in a skill, activity, etc.). Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 309/26 Neuer man prevalit him in laubour & slayng of monstouris.

1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 8 Seuin wysest men..Quhilkis in learning all vther thay preuaill.

a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 198 Displesit wes the nobillis of the Britis, That sic ane man of law birth and valour, Sould thame prevaill into so grit honour.

a. transitive. To be of advantage or use to; to benefit, profit, assist; = avail v. 2a. Now rare (archaic in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)]

helpc1000

goodOE

steadc1175

to do (one) boot?c1225

advancec1330

profitc1330

availc1384

servea1398

vaila1400

vailc1400

prevail1442

advantage?1459

vantagec1460

bootc1540

benefit1549

conduce?1577

to serve (one) in some, no stead1601

bonify1603

answer1756

better1833

to stand to ——1841

to stand (a person or thing) in (good, etc.) stead1887

1442 Rolls of Parl. V. 56/1 Menes how to prevaile the straungers.

1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 321 He seyd..yf it myght provayle yow he woulde wyth ryght good wylle that it choulde be doo.

a1500 tr. La Belle Dame sans Mercy (Cambr.) 519 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 99 (MED) Secheth fayerer and of more hier fame Which in seruice of loue will you prevayll.

1549 T. Solme in H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie To Rdr. sig. Av There thy money so gleaned and gathered of the & thyne..can not preuayle the.

1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 32 Vulcans Ielosy preuailed him nothing.

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 429 Forcing themselues to the vttermost..; but perceiuing that it preuailed them nothing, they retired, hauing lost eight hundred of their men.

1935 E. R. Eddison Mistress xx. 406 Not winged horses shall prevail him to outskip my vengeance.

†b. intransitive. To be of advantage, profit, or use; = avail v. 2d. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)]

dowc950

frameOE

fremeOE

helpc1000

gainc1175

holdc1175

vail1303

yainc1325

it is speedfulc1340

profit1340

speedc1380

prowa1400

bootc1400

prevailc1450

avail1489

mister1490

skill1528

stead1594

advantagea1616

conduce1624

c1450 C. d'Orleans Poems (1941) 11 If that myn harme to yow preuaylen myght Yit shulde y then agre with my grauaunce.

c1500 Melusine (1895) 209 Syth..þat my presence & long abydyng here with you may nought preuaylle to you.

1534 W. Tyndale Prol. Epist. Rom. (1551) 66 b/1 What preuayleth it nowe that y^u teachest another man not to steale, when y^u thine own selfe art a thefe in thine hert?

1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health ii. 14 Aristotle..sayeth, that it preuaileth greatly both to the health of the bodie, and to the studie of Philosophie.

1609 S. Daniel Civile Wares (rev. ed.) v. ciii. 139 What preuailes that we Must weare the Crowne, and other men must raigne.

†c. transitive. To give (a person) the benefit or advantage of something; = to avail of —— 3 at avail v. Phrasal verbs. Chiefly reflexive: to avail oneself of something; = avail v.. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > supply with some benefit

boota1616

prevail1617

avail1785

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)]

noteOE

take?a1160

turnc1175

usec1300

to fare witha1340

benote1340

spenda1400

usea1400

weara1400

naitc1400

occupy1423

to put (also set) in work?a1425

practise?c1430

apply1439

employ?1473

to call upon ——1477

help1489

tew1489

handle1509

exercise1526

improvea1529

serve1538

feed1540

enure1549

to make (also take) (a) use of1579

wield1601

adoperate1612

to avail oneself ofa1616

prevail1617

to make practice of1623

ploy1675

occasion1698

to call on ——1721

subserve1811

nuse1851

utilize1860

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 234 I am againe going..to waste the Countrie of Tyrone, and to preuaile the Garrisons there of some Corne to keepe their horses in the Winter.

a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 32 Noe man hath more dexterously prevailed himselfe thereof.

1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 15 Prevail your self of what Occasion gives.

a. intransitive. To be or become the stronger, more widespread, or more frequent of two or more usages, qualities, features, etc.; to predominate.In origin a weakened use of 3a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > be great in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)] > be superior in amount or degree

rixlec1175

domine1474

predominate1594

domineer1602

predomine1605

prevail1612

preponder1624

preponderate1688

reign1715

to tip the balance1956

1612 T. Studley & A. Todkill in W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia iv. 24 in J. Smith Map of Virginia This charitable humor prevailed, till well it chaunced they medled with Captaine Smith.

1629 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Eight Bks. Peloponnesian Warre i. 3 These Cities..began..to be called Hellenes: and yet could not that name of a long time after prevaile vpon them all.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. vi. 223 If any one will..to such..complex Ideas, give names, that shall prevail: they will then be new Species to them.

1718 Free-thinker No. 35. 1 The gilded Signs prevailed over those of any other Colour.

1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 91 For two whole hours, a palpable darkness prevailed.

1834 W. Youatt Cattle vi. 203 The dairy-farmers..if they permit any admixture of short-horn blood..are anxious that that of the old Lancashire's shall decidedly prevail.

1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight ii. 16 Light eyes prevail among northern nations and dark eyes among the races who live in the glare of a tropical sun.

1917 E. Wharton Summer v. 54 The pungency of pine-sap prevailed over the spice of thyme and the subtle perfume of fern.

1996 New Scientist 30 Mar. 88/2 Following complaints from the White House webmaster, sanity eventually prevailed and the site was unblocked again.

b. intransitive. Hence: to be in general use or practice; to be commonly accepted or adopted; to exist, occur, or be present constantly, widely, or currently.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > be generally applicable [verb (intransitive)] > be general or prevalent

pass1475

runa1500

tain?1536

to go for current1596

to pass for current1596

prevail1617

obtain1619

1617 J. Hales Serm. Oxf. 33 That vaine of postilling and allegorising on Scripture, which for a long time had prevailed in the Church.

1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 403 One custom which prevails generally in foreign Countreys..is to salute those that sneez.

1721 N. Amhurst Terræ-filius No. 21 (1754) 106 I would therefore humbly propose a reformation of learning from the philosophical popery, which prevails at present in our universities.

1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ i. 2 Reports and traditions which prevailed in that age.

1840 W. Irving in Life & Lett. (1866) III. 155 Now a snowstorm is prevailing.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 228 Their way of thinking is far better than any other which now prevails in the world.

1936 M. R. Anand Coolie iv. 183 A superstition prevails in India that the spirits of the dead visit the earth in the form of dust storms.

1995 Sci. Amer. Aug. 66 (caption) Three types of ears prevail in the animal kingdom.

2002 P. Augar & J. Palmer Rise Player Manager iii. 49 A similar pattern prevails in professions such as Management Consultancy under the so-called ‘mentorship’ system.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	prevail
释义	† prevailn. Forms: late Middle English preuale, late Middle English prevaile, late Middle English–1500s preuaile, late Middle English–1500s preuayle. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: prevail v. Etymology: < prevail v. With sense 2 compare earlier avail n. Obsolete. 1. The fact of prevailing or gaining mastery; = prevalence n. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [noun] overhandc1175 masteryc1225 gree1320 betc1330 pricea1350 advantagea1393 overmasterya1400 voicea1400 betterc1405 higherc1450 prevaila1460 superiority1548 mastership1573 prevalence1604 eminence1609 privilegea1616 prevalency1623 upper fortunea1625 whipping-hand1682 whip hand1806 a1460 Earl of March & Earl of Rutland Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 9 (MED) Your gracious preuaile ayenst thentent & malice of your evilwillers. 1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 147/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II His preuaile was to their reproch. 2. Advantage or benefit; an advantageous opportunity; = avail n.. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun] fremea700 redeeOE noteeOE goodOE goodnessOE framec1175 winc1175 bihevec1230 behoofc1275 advantagec1300 prowc1300 wellc1300 wainc1315 profita1325 bewaynec1375 vantagec1380 goodshipc1390 prewa1400 steada1400 benefice1426 vailc1430 utilityc1440 of availc1450 prevaila1460 fordeal1470 winning1477 encherishingc1480 benefit1512 booty1581 emolument1633 handhold1655 withgate1825 cui bono1836 a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) 1753 Remedie Is in beholdinge ofte vppon her foo Out of a siker place..Eke issuyinge on hem with a prevaile Is hardyinge to falle to bataile. 1471 in Archaeologia Cantiana (1877) 11 361 (MED) The which if ye soe doo, We doubte not but it shall not onely be vnto you grete honoure and Worship but alsoe to your prevaile. a1500 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 171 (MED) Yt ys necessary to euery clothyer, And þe most preuayle to theym þat may be fownde, Yf they wyll take hede þerto. 1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 410 (MED) For your preuayle..Gette hym nowe home agayn into Englande. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2021). prevailv. Brit. /prᵻˈveɪl/, U.S. /priˈveɪl/, /prəˈveɪl/ Forms: Middle English preayle (transmission error), Middle English preuaille, Middle English preuayll, Middle English preuaylle, Middle English prevaille, Middle English prevayl, Middle English prevayll, Middle English prevaylle, Middle English provaile, Middle English provayle, Middle English–1600s preuaile, Middle English–1600s preuale, Middle English–1600s preuayle, Middle English–1600s prevaile, Middle English–1600s prevayle, Middle English–1700s prevale, Middle English– prevail, 1500s preuayl, 1500s preueyle, 1500s prevalle, 1500s–1600s preuail, 1600s preueail, 1600s preuailld (past tense); Scottish pre-1700 pervale, pre-1700 praeuaill, pre-1700 pravail, pre-1700 pravale, pre-1700 pravill, pre-1700 preuail, pre-1700 preuaile, pre-1700 preuaill, pre-1700 preuale, pre-1700 preueall, pre-1700 prevaile, pre-1700 prevaill, pre-1700 preval, pre-1700 prevale, pre-1700 preveall, pre-1700 prevele, pre-1700 prevell, pre-1700 prewaile, pre-1700 prewaill, pre-1700 prewale, pre-1700 privelayt (past tense, probably transmission error), pre-1700 1700s– prevail, pre-1700 1800s preveal. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French prévaloir; Latin praevalēre. Etymology: < Middle French prévaloir, (occasionally) prévaler (intransitive) to have the advantage, prevail, dominate (c1372–4; also prévaloir sur to prevail over (15th cent.); French prévaloir ) and its etymon classical Latin praevalēre to have superior force, weight, or influence, to have the upper hand, prevail, (of medicines, remedies) to be effective, in post-classical Latin also to prevail over, dominate (late 2nd or early 3rd cent. in Tertullian) < prae- pre- prefix + valēre vail v.¹ Compare Italian prevalere (a1306).With sense 4c compare French se prévaloir (a1600). With the form history compare vail v.¹, avail v., which probably influenced this word. With the Middle English forms provaile , provayle compare discussion at pre- prefix. †1. intransitive. To become very strong; to gain vigour or force; to increase in strength. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > become strong (of the body or its parts) [verb (intransitive)] prevaila1398 stiff1399 enablec1420 storkenc1425 the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)] > gain vigour or strength prevaila1398 convailc1500 to gather heada1593 liven1739 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Tollem. MS.) iv. ix By the benefyte of bloudde all the lymmes of the body prevayle and be fedde [L. vigent et nutriuntur]. a1540 R. Barnes Lawfull for Priestes to marry Wiues in W. Tyndale et al. Wks. (1573) ii. 332/2 We see that nowe hee is preuayled in mischief. 1568 (a1500) Colkelbie Sow ii. 93 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 299 Into the first orising of it to tell Or it prevelit planeist and popelus quhair now pareiss citie is situat thus. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 91 Teach me..Why flowing Tides prevail upon the Main, And in what dark Recess they shrink again. View more context for this quotation 1755 E. Young Centaur i. 2 Prevails not Infidelity as much as Pleasure? And for-ever they must prevail, or decrease, together. 2. a. intransitive. To be effectual or efficacious; to be successful; to succeed. Now rare except as passing into sense 3a. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious [verb (intransitive)] workOE availa1400 makea1400 prevaila1400 to hit the nail upon (or on) the headc1450 effect1592 serve1593 to tickle it1601 take1611 executea1627 to have force (to do)1713 answer1721 to take place1789 to do the trick1819 to hit (also go to, touch, etc.) the spot1836 produce1881 to press (also push) the button1890 to come through1906 to turn the trick1933 to make a (also the) point1991 society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)] > succeed in influencing prevaila1400 to prevail withc1450 carrya1616 to prevail upon1656 a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 305 (MED) Þer is seid a cauterie pole [read potentiale] whanne it is not hoot in felinge, & þat cauterie preuailiþ wiþouten brennynge, as herbis [L. calidum non est actu, neque comburit]. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 241 (MED) Cleopatra folowede themperour Octouian, that sche myȝhte inclyne his herte to fullefille the pleasure of the flesche with her, Whiche preuaylenge not [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. Sche myȝte nouȝt spede; L. minime prævalens], was commaunded to kepenge. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xii. f. cxxxix^v Ye se that we prevayle no thynge: loo all the worlde goth after hym. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ee.ii [He] proued many remedies, but all preuayled not. 1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron I. i. i. f. 11 I came hither to no other end, but onely to chastise and admonish them in friendly manner... I should haue preuailed therein, had not this violently sicknesse hindered mine intention. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 41 Songs..Prevail as much..As would a plump of trembling Fowl, that rise Against an Eagle. 1763 F. Brooke Hist. Lady Julia Mandeville I. 175 He goes with us; Lady Julia's eyes have prevailed; she had seduced him before I went down. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Supposed Confessions 99 But why Prevailed not thy pure prayers? 1917 T. S. Eliot Prufrock & Other Observ. 20 You will go on, and when you have prevailed You can say: at this point many a one has failed. 1996 City Paper (Baltimore) 22 May 35/3 They're about underdogs who face seemingly insurmountable odds and despite all logic, prevail. †b. transitive with infinitive. To succeed or manage (to do something). Obsolete.Frequently implying the overcoming of opposition; cf. sense 3a. ΚΠ 1446 Recantation John Bredon of Coventry f. 91 (MED) The said Priour and covente shuld not prevaile to haue the said custoum. 1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iv. ii Oh, cruell wight, shulde any cause prevaile To make the staine thy hands with brothers blod? 1609 Bible (Douay) I. Eccl. l. 5 He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people. 1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 18 If they prevail to perswade the people of the necessity of practice, in so doing they put on them both the misbelief and the mispractice. 1714 Earl of Oxford in J. Swift Wks. (1778) XV. 108 I may prevail to renew your licence of absence, conditionally you will be present with me. 1764 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) II. 81 Neither he, nor his ministers, could prevail to alter the resolutions of his society. 1849 H. D. Thoreau Week Concord & Merrimack Rivers 359 The poet will prevail to be popular in spite of his faults. 1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters III. 339 If again petty jealousies..prevail to unknit their hands from the armoured grasp. c. intransitive. To succeed in persuading, inducing, or influencing; usually as to prevail on, to prevail upon, or †to prevail with (someone). ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon wina1340 persuadec1450 to prevail withc1450 prevail1466 train1549 overswaya1586 oppugn1596 overrulea1616 reach1637 to prevail upon1656 to gain upon1790 convince1958 society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)] > succeed in influencing prevaila1400 to prevail withc1450 carrya1616 to prevail upon1656 c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 172 (MED) So mekull Þis þoght prevaylid so on hym þat, with-in a litle while after, he made hym a freer. 1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xxv. f. 233 The reasons of Rhomeo so much preuailed with Iulietta, as she made him this answer. 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 25 I so preuailed with him, as he let me haue it. 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. 2 Enquiring what manner of disputes they were wherewith Socrates prevail'd so much upon the young men. 1708 J. Swift Elegy on Partridge in Wks. (1755) II. i. 158 I prevailed with myself to go and see him. 1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 67. ⁋6 I was prevailed upon by her and her Mother to go last Night to one of his Balls. 1805 E. Clark Banks of Douro II. 118 They could not prevail with her to stay. 1846 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 II. v. 220 The Peshwa..endeavoured to prevail upon the Resident to grant a longer interval. 1881 A. Trollope Ayala's Angel III. lviii. 188 Mr. Traffick undertook to prevail with him to give an adequate fortune to his youngest daughter on her marriage with Captain Batsby. 1932 G. F.-H. Berkeley Italy in Making I. xiv. 199 Charles Albert improved his already good relations with the Holy See by prevailing upon Gregory XVI to re-establish the Papal Nunciature at Turin. 1994 Daily Tel. 26 Aug. 7/8 He prevailed on Air Marshal Harris to allow him to fly one more time and he was killed on a pathfinding mission. d. transitive. To persuade or influence (a person); to induce to do something. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon wina1340 persuadec1450 to prevail withc1450 prevail1466 train1549 overswaya1586 oppugn1596 overrulea1616 reach1637 to prevail upon1656 to gain upon1790 convince1958 1466 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 334 Richard Calle hath nyere conqueryd youre vncle Will wyth fayre promyse twochyng hys lyflode and othere thyngys the whych shold prevayll hym gretly, as he sayth. c1475 (?c1451) Bk. Noblesse (Royal) (1860) 3 The anguisshes, troubles, and divisions..may not prevaile them to the repairing and wynnyng of any soche manere outrageous losses to this Reaume. 1586 Ld. Burghley Let. 8 Sept. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 6 Morgan prevaled hir to renew hir intelligence with Babyngton. 1664 J. Howell tr. J. Nadányi Florus Hungaricus 105 They flew to their Arms, and killed all the Germans they met.., which Bloody Fury lasted till a certain Monk prevailed them to surcease it. 1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. i. viii. 52 His Partner, who was..afterwards prevailed to dance with him. 1834 Tracts for Times No. 40. 2 Those who were most likely to be prevailed to act upon the principles of it. 1948 J. A. Farley Jim Farley's Story v. 41 Swope was prevailed to go along to render public service. †e. intransitive. to prevail to (a thing): to succeed in attaining or achieving. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > succeed in doing anything wina1300 covera1375 gaina1375 to prevail to1474 to make shift of1504 attain1523 obtaina1529 frame1545 procure1559 to finish to1594 succeed1839 1474–5 in Cal. Proc. Chancery Queen Elizabeth (1830) II. p. lvii The said Richard..coude not prevaile to his said feyned title. a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 109 Let no Popish Doctor prevail to the abatement of this holy sorrow. 3. a. intransitive. To be superior in strength or influence; to have or gain superiority, advantage, or mastery against, over, †of, or †upon an opponent, rival, etc.; to be victorious. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)] risec1175 to have the higher handa1225 to have the besta1393 bettera1400 vaila1400 to win or achieve a checka1400 surmount1400 prevaila1425 to have (also get) the better handa1470 to go away with it1489 to have the besta1500 to have (also get, etc.) the better (or worse) end of the staff1542 to have ita1616 to have (also get) the laugh on one's side1672 top1718 beat1744 to get (also have) the right end of the stick1817 to have the best of1846 to go one better1856 a1425 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Dulwich Coll.) 1872 (MED) Her cumpany may preuayle. ?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 224 Whan Aȝens þe..he may not preuayll. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxii. 161 In tyme of fight..If you prevayle you shall attayne the fame Of hye honour. 1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Ciij Hell gates shall not prevayle ageinste them. 1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. iii. f. 27 His men preuailed of their enemies. 1594 2nd Rep. Dr. Faustus xxviii. sig. K2 So much the Christian preuailed vpon the Turke in three houres and a halfes fight. 1650 T. Hubbert Pilula 46 Great is truth, and it shall prevaile. 1692 W. Marshall Gospel Myst. Sanctif. (1764) 328 In Christ God's mercy prevails high above our sins. 1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. i. 23 Cool Self-love is prevailed over by Passion and Appetite. 1789 Triumphs Fortitude I. 22 Wherever those of the fashionable world assemble, in spite of all they can do to rusticate, Art will generally appear to prevail over Nature. 1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 358 The intention of the devisor must prevail. 1895 Law Times 100 5/2 The title of the assignee was..held to prevail over that of the trustee. 1959 B. Wootton Social Sci. & Social Pathol. i. 21 The claims of uniformity and comparability seemed to prevail over those of up-to-dateness. 2005 Booklist (Nexis) 15 Nov. 4 ‘The Trial’ discusses how Jackson prevailed against child molestation charges. †b. transitive. Scottish. To be superior to; to outstrip or surpass (in a skill, activity, etc.). Obsolete. ΚΠ a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 309/26 Neuer man prevalit him in laubour & slayng of monstouris. 1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 8 Seuin wysest men..Quhilkis in learning all vther thay preuaill. a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 198 Displesit wes the nobillis of the Britis, That sic ane man of law birth and valour, Sould thame prevaill into so grit honour. 4. a. transitive. To be of advantage or use to; to benefit, profit, assist; = avail v. 2a. Now rare (archaic in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] helpc1000 goodOE steadc1175 to do (one) boot?c1225 advancec1330 profitc1330 availc1384 servea1398 vaila1400 vailc1400 prevail1442 advantage?1459 vantagec1460 bootc1540 benefit1549 conduce?1577 to serve (one) in some, no stead1601 bonify1603 answer1756 better1833 to stand to ——1841 to stand (a person or thing) in (good, etc.) stead1887 1442 Rolls of Parl. V. 56/1 Menes how to prevaile the straungers. 1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 321 He seyd..yf it myght provayle yow he woulde wyth ryght good wylle that it choulde be doo. a1500 tr. La Belle Dame sans Mercy (Cambr.) 519 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 99 (MED) Secheth fayerer and of more hier fame Which in seruice of loue will you prevayll. 1549 T. Solme in H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie To Rdr. sig. Av There thy money so gleaned and gathered of the & thyne..can not preuayle the. 1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 32 Vulcans Ielosy preuailed him nothing. 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 429 Forcing themselues to the vttermost..; but perceiuing that it preuailed them nothing, they retired, hauing lost eight hundred of their men. 1935 E. R. Eddison Mistress xx. 406 Not winged horses shall prevail him to outskip my vengeance. †b. intransitive. To be of advantage, profit, or use; = avail v. 2d. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)] dowc950 frameOE fremeOE helpc1000 gainc1175 holdc1175 vail1303 yainc1325 it is speedfulc1340 profit1340 speedc1380 prowa1400 bootc1400 prevailc1450 avail1489 mister1490 skill1528 stead1594 advantagea1616 conduce1624 c1450 C. d'Orleans Poems (1941) 11 If that myn harme to yow preuaylen myght Yit shulde y then agre with my grauaunce. c1500 Melusine (1895) 209 Syth..þat my presence & long abydyng here with you may nought preuaylle to you. 1534 W. Tyndale Prol. Epist. Rom. (1551) 66 b/1 What preuayleth it nowe that y^u teachest another man not to steale, when y^u thine own selfe art a thefe in thine hert? 1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health ii. 14 Aristotle..sayeth, that it preuaileth greatly both to the health of the bodie, and to the studie of Philosophie. 1609 S. Daniel Civile Wares (rev. ed.) v. ciii. 139 What preuailes that we Must weare the Crowne, and other men must raigne. †c. transitive. To give (a person) the benefit or advantage of something; = to avail of —— 3 at avail v. Phrasal verbs. Chiefly reflexive: to avail oneself of something; = avail v.. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > supply with some benefit visita1400 boota1616 prevail1617 avail1785 the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] noteOE take?a1160 turnc1175 usec1300 to fare witha1340 benote1340 spenda1400 usea1400 weara1400 naitc1400 occupy1423 to put (also set) in work?a1425 practise?c1430 apply1439 employ?1473 to call upon ——1477 help1489 tew1489 handle1509 exercise1526 improvea1529 serve1538 feed1540 enure1549 to make (also take) (a) use of1579 wield1601 adoperate1612 to avail oneself ofa1616 to avail oneself ofa1616 prevail1617 to make practice of1623 ploy1675 occasion1698 to call on ——1721 subserve1811 nuse1851 utilize1860 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 234 I am againe going..to waste the Countrie of Tyrone, and to preuaile the Garrisons there of some Corne to keepe their horses in the Winter. a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 32 Noe man hath more dexterously prevailed himselfe thereof. 1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 15 Prevail your self of what Occasion gives. 5. a. intransitive. To be or become the stronger, more widespread, or more frequent of two or more usages, qualities, features, etc.; to predominate.In origin a weakened use of 3a. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > be great in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)] > be superior in amount or degree rixlec1175 domine1474 predominate1594 domineer1602 predomine1605 prevail1612 preponder1624 preponderate1688 reign1715 to tip the balance1956 1612 T. Studley & A. Todkill in W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia iv. 24 in J. Smith Map of Virginia This charitable humor prevailed, till well it chaunced they medled with Captaine Smith. 1629 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Eight Bks. Peloponnesian Warre i. 3 These Cities..began..to be called Hellenes: and yet could not that name of a long time after prevaile vpon them all. 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. vi. 223 If any one will..to such..complex Ideas, give names, that shall prevail: they will then be new Species to them. 1718 Free-thinker No. 35. 1 The gilded Signs prevailed over those of any other Colour. 1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 91 For two whole hours, a palpable darkness prevailed. 1834 W. Youatt Cattle vi. 203 The dairy-farmers..if they permit any admixture of short-horn blood..are anxious that that of the old Lancashire's shall decidedly prevail. 1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight ii. 16 Light eyes prevail among northern nations and dark eyes among the races who live in the glare of a tropical sun. 1917 E. Wharton Summer v. 54 The pungency of pine-sap prevailed over the spice of thyme and the subtle perfume of fern. 1996 New Scientist 30 Mar. 88/2 Following complaints from the White House webmaster, sanity eventually prevailed and the site was unblocked again. b. intransitive. Hence: to be in general use or practice; to be commonly accepted or adopted; to exist, occur, or be present constantly, widely, or currently. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > be generally applicable [verb (intransitive)] > be general or prevalent pass1475 runa1500 tain?1536 to go for current1596 to pass for current1596 prevail1617 obtain1619 1617 J. Hales Serm. Oxf. 33 That vaine of postilling and allegorising on Scripture, which for a long time had prevailed in the Church. 1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 403 One custom which prevails generally in foreign Countreys..is to salute those that sneez. 1721 N. Amhurst Terræ-filius No. 21 (1754) 106 I would therefore humbly propose a reformation of learning from the philosophical popery, which prevails at present in our universities. 1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ i. 2 Reports and traditions which prevailed in that age. 1840 W. Irving in Life & Lett. (1866) III. 155 Now a snowstorm is prevailing. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 228 Their way of thinking is far better than any other which now prevails in the world. 1936 M. R. Anand Coolie iv. 183 A superstition prevails in India that the spirits of the dead visit the earth in the form of dust storms. 1995 Sci. Amer. Aug. 66 (caption) Three types of ears prevail in the animal kingdom. 2002 P. Augar & J. Palmer Rise Player Manager iii. 49 A similar pattern prevails in professions such as Management Consultancy under the so-called ‘mentorship’ system. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.a1460v.a1398
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† prevailn.

prevailv.