\Pre*vail"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prevailed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prevailing}.] [F. pr['e]valoir, OF. prevaleir, L.
praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or
worth. See {Valiant}.]
1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain
   the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to
   succeed; -- sometimes with over or against.
         When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
         when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
                                               xvii. 11.
         So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
                                               xvii. 50.
         This kingdom could never prevail against the united
         power of England.                     --Swift.
2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be
   predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain;
   as, the practice prevails this day.
         This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
         warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I
   prevailedon him to wait.
         He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
                                               --Clarendon.
         Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
         constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
                                               --Swift.