prevailing

adj

1. Predominant; of greatest force.

   “The prevailing opinion was for additional planning time.”

   “He has a Humour more prevailing than his Curioſity, and will willingly diſpence with the hearing of one ſcandalous Story, to avoid giving an occaſion to make another, by being ſeen to walk with his Wife.”

   “But they could never gain my conſent to put him to death, for the reaſons above mentioned, ſince it was an Engliſhman (even yourſelf) was my deliverer: And, as merciful counſels are moſt prevailing, when earneſtly preſſed, ſo I got them to be of the ſame opinion, as to clemency.”

   “I have heard generally that alderman Archer has a more prevailing and powerful influence in the commons than any other alderman, and exercises that influence;”

2. Prevalent, common, widespread.

   “Fever and dysentery are the most prevailing diseases in this division, more particularly the latter, which is one of the most destructive amongst the troops in India, and particularly so in the European constitution.”

   “One of the most prevailing defects in this people is their invincible indolence, and hatred of labour, which has, at all times, paralysed the government of their best princes, and impeded the success of their most brilliant enterprises.”

   “In Sydney at 9 am, by far the most prevailing wind is a westerly, particularly during the colder two-thirds of the year.”

   “This world-wide travel organisation recently attained its centenary, and under happier conditions than those prevailing at the present time the event would doubtless have been celebrated worthily.”

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of prevail