(v. n.P. a.) : prae-vălĕo, ŭi, 2, v. n.
* In gen., to be very or more able, to have distinguished power or influence; to have greater power or worth; to be superior or distinguished, have the superiority, prevail (not ante-Aug.; cf.: praesto, excello, praecedo): virtute semper praevalet sapientia,wisdom prevails over, has more power than bravery,Phaedr. 1, 13, 14: qui praevalet arcu,is a distinguished archer,Stat. Achill. 2, 122: vulturum praevalent nigri,rank first,Plin. 10, 6, 7, § 19: aranei cum praevaluere (supra apes),id. 11, 19, 21, § 65: in Aegypto hic mos praevalet,prevails,id. 17, 22, 35, § 185: ita saepius digni, quam gratiosi, praevalebant,had the advantage,Plin. Ep. 3, 20, 6: quae sententia non praevaluit modo,id. ib. 2, 11, 6: certamen acerrimum, amita potius an mater apud Neronem praevaleret,had the most influence,Tac. A. 12, 64: auctoritate et praesentiā,to prevail, to get the upper hand,Suet. Galb. 19: gratiā,id. Ner. 28: auctoritas Cluvii praevaluit, ut, etc.,prevailed,Tac. H. 2, 65: tuum erit consultare, utrum praevaleat, quod ex Arminio concepit, an quod ex me genita est,which should have more weight,id. A. 1, 58; Dig. 1, 5, 10.— With inf.: praevaluit ire,Vulg. 1 Par. 21, 30.—With contra, Vulg. Gen. 32, 28.—With dat. (late Lat.): quae (mala) etiam praevalent bonis,Lact. Epit. 68, 21: portis inferi et mortis legibus praevalere, Leo M. p. 51, 1 fin.
* In partic., of medicines, to be of great virtue or efficacy: trifolium praevalet contra serpentium ictus,Plin. 21, 21, 88, § 152: lac praevalet ad vitia in facie sananda,id. 28, 7, 21, § 75.
* In law, to be settled, established, Just. Inst. 1, 6, 3.— Hence, praevălens, entis, P. a., very strong, very powerful: populus, Liv. praef.: praevalens corpore,Vell. 2, 108, 2; Plin. 5, 24, 20, § 84.

s. TLL