prevail etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Latin, "praevalere"
  • Literal meaning: "to be stronger"
  • Root:
    • "prae-": prefix meaning "before" or "above"
    • "valere": verb meaning "to be strong"

Meaning and Origin

"Prevail" means "to be more powerful or stronger than an opponent or force" or "to win a victory or triumph."

The word's Latin root, "prae-valere," literally translates as "to be stronger before" or "to be superior in strength." It implies the idea of prevailing over an adversary or challenge.

In its earliest uses, "prevail" was primarily used in a military or legal context, referring to the victory of an army or the successful outcome of a lawsuit. However, over time, its meaning has expanded to encompass any situation where superior power or strength leads to success.

Today, "prevail" is a common verb used in various fields, from politics and economics to personal relationships. It suggests the overcoming of obstacles, the achievement of goals, and the triumph over adversity.

prevail relate terms

  • prevailing

    Etymology The word prevailing comes from the Old French word prevaloir meaning to

  • prevail

    Etymology Origin Latin praevalere Literal meaning to be stronger Root prae

  • prae

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  • ambivalence

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  • Arnold

    Etymology Old High German Arnolt Frankish Arnwald Meaning Germanic Eagle rul

  • avail

    Etymology The word avail comes from the Middle English word availen which itself co

  • bivalent

    Etymology The word bivalent is derived from two Latin roots bi meaning two valen

  • convalesce

    Etymology From Latin convalescere meaning to grow strong to recover Prefix con

  • countervail

    Etymology Counter Latin meaning against Valere Latin meaning to be strong

  • Donald

    Etymology Irish Domhnall Meaning World ruler Origin The name Donald originated

  • equivalent

    Etymology Etymology refers to the origin and historical development of words It involves

  • evaluation

    Etymology The term evaluation derives from the Late Latin word aestimatio meaning

  • Gerald

    Etymology and Origin Origin Germanic Meaning Spear ruler Derivation Germanic

  • Harold

    Etymology Harold is an Old English name derived from the elements here army and wea

  • invalid

    Invalid Etymology Etymology refers to the origin and history of words Invalid etymology

  • invalid

    Invalid Etymology Etymology refers to the origin and history of words Invalid etymology

  • Isold

    Etymology Old Norse Ísǫld Proto Norse ĪsōldiR Meaning Iron age Origin

  • multivalent

    Etymology The word multivalent is derived from the Latin words multus meaning many

  • polyvalent

    Etymology Latin polyvalens very strong very useful Greek poly many valens

  • prevalent

    Etymology of Prevalent Late Middle English via Anglo Norman French from Latin praeva

  • prevail

    Etymology Origin Latin praevalere Literal meaning to be stronger Root prae

  • Reynold

    Etymology German Reinwald Latin Raginwalda from ragin advice waldan to rule

  • Ronald

    Etymology Old English Ránulf possibly derived from the Old Norse elements regin mea

  • valediction

    Etymology Late Middle English from Latin valedictiō n from valedicere farewell e

  • valence

    Etymology The word valence comes from the Latin word valere which means to be stro

  • Valerie

    Etymology Latin valere to be strong healthy Meaning Strong Healthy Vigorous

  • valetudinarian

    Etymology The word valetudinarian originates from the Latin phrase valetudinarius w

  • valiance

    Etymology Late Latin valentia Latin valens genitive valentis present participle o

  • valiant

    Etymology The word valiant comes from the Old French word vaillant which is ultimat

  • valid

    Etymology Valid From Latin validus meaning strong powerful effective Meaning

  • valor

    Etymology The word valor comes from the Old French word valur which is itself derive

  • value

    Etymology From Old French value from Latin valere to be worth be strong be of valu

  • Vladimir

    Etymology Slavic Volodymyr Meaning Ruler of the world or great ruler Origin

  • Walter

    Etymology The name Walter is of Germanic origin derived from the Old High German words

  • wield

    Etymology Old English wealdan wealda Proto Germanic waldaną Proto Indo European w

  • predominate

    Etymology Origin Latin praedominari prae before dominari to rule Mean

  • dominate

    Etymology The word dominate comes from the Latin word dominari which means to mast

  • rule

    Etymology Derived from the Old French word reule which in turn comes from the Latin

  • evince

    Etymology Latin ēvincō meaning to prove to show clearly Formed from ē out

  • evict

    Etymology The word evict originates from the Latin word ēvicō which means to rem

  • India

    Etymology The name India is derived from the Greek word Indikos which was used to r

  • overcome

    Etymology Over from the Old English ofer meaning above or upon Come from the Ol

  • reverberate

    Etymology From Middle English reverberen from Old French reverberer from Latin reverb