prevail: Word of the Day

http://scottengnote.blogspot.com/2008/02/prevail-word-of-day.html

http://scottengnote.blogspot.com/2008/02/prevail-word-of-day.html

prevail (prĭ-vāl')
 
Pronounced: click here

 
Function: verb [no object]
 
Inflected forms:
prevails; prevailed; prevailing
 
Status: formal
 
Meanings:
1 : to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest
Example:
<Our soccer team prevailed [=won] despite the bad weather.>
 
Note: Prevail is often followed by against or over.
Examples:
<He prevailed against/over last year’s champion.>
<She prevailed in a lawsuit against her doctor. [=she won a lawsuit against her doctor]>
 
Note: Prevail is often used figuratively.
Examples:
<Justice will prevail.>
<Truth will always prevail [=triumph] over lies.>
 
2 : to be usual, common, or popular
Examples:
<Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here.>
<the music that prevailed in the 1980s>
 
3 : to be or continue to be in use
Examples:
<The tribal custom still prevails [=persists] after hundreds of years.>
<The law still prevails insome states.>
 
Phrasal verb:
prevail on/upon
Construction: prevail on/upon (someone)
Meaning:
: to ask or persuade (someone) to do something
Example:
<They prevailed on/upon me to play a few tunes on the piano.>
   


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