prevail

verb

Etymology: From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”). Displaced native Old English rīcsian.

1. To be superior in strength, dominance, influence, or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.

   “Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag.”

   “Sunny skies will prevail across the Northeast.”

2. To triumph; to be victorious.

   “There are a number of SCPs and tales that look at potential apocalypses, but rarely with such totality as SCP-2935, a parallel dimension in which death prevailed.”

   “Zakharova also made light of Moore’s claims that Russia will not be able to regain momentum in the war after the MI6 chief said he was”optimistic”^([sic]) Ukraine would prevail against the Russian invasion.”

3. To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.

   “In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.”

4. To succeed in persuading or inducing.

   “I prevailed on him to wait.”

   “Jones began to be very importunate with the lady to unmask; and at length having prevailed, there appeared not Mrs Fitzpatrick, but the Lady Bellaston herself.”

5. To avail.