Definition of: prevail

(pri·vāl′) v.i.
1. To gain mastery; be victorious; triumph: with over or against.
2. To be effective or efficacious; succeed.
3. To use persuasion or influence successfully: with on, upon, or with.
4. To be or become a predominant feature or quality; be prevalent.
5. To have general or wide-spread use or acceptance; be in force. See synonyms under SUCCEED. [<OF prevaloir <L prevalere <prae-before + valere be strong]