prevail
UK[prɪˈveɪl]US[prɪˈveɪl]
v
to prove more powerful or superior; to be victorious.
v
to be widespread or current in a particular place or at a particular time.
Morpheme Breakdown
pre
vail
pre
before, very
vail
be strong
Etymology
the word 'prevail' originates from latin 'praevalēre', a compound of 'prae-' (meaning 'before' or 'very') and 'valēre' (meaning 'to be strong'). the literal sense was 'to have greater power, to have superior strength'. it entered middle english via old french 'prevaleir'. the core logic of the word has consistently centered on the concept of superior strength or influence winning out, whether in a physical conflict, an argument, or in becoming the dominant condition. the meaning evolved from a concrete sense of overpowering to include more abstract notions of being widespread or predominant.
Analysis
Structure: pre (before, very) + vail (be strong)
pre- is a prefix from latin 'prae-', meaning 'before, in front of, very'. vail is from latin 'valēre', meaning 'to be strong, be powerful, be worth'.
Examples
justice will prevail in the end.
a sense of excitement prevailed as the festival began.
the prevailing winds in this region come from the west.