a. 1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. See Prevalent. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. So as to prevail. [ 1913 Webster ]