prae-pondĕro, āre, v. n. and a.
I Neutr. , to be of greater weight , to preponderate , incline (post-Aug.; cf. propendeo).
A Lit.: ne, portionum aequitate turbatā, mundus praeponderet, Sen. Q. N. 3, 10, 3: quotiens in alterum latus praeponderans declinarat sarcina, Ap. Met. 7, 17, 18.—
B Trop.
1 To be of more weight or influence , to have the preference : aliquis reum me defendit, sed uxorem meam violavit ... in comparatione beneficii praeponderavit injuria, Sen. Ben. 6, 4, 1: quamvis injuriae praeponderent, id. Ep. 81, 4: honestas praeponderat, Gell. 1, 3, 25: exsul, Stat. Th. 8, 615.—
2 To turn the scale , give a decision , incline : in humaniorem partem, Sen. Clem. 1, 2, 2: si neutro litis condicio praeponderet, decides neither one way nor the other , Quint. 7, 2, 39: quo praeponderet alea fati, Luc. 6, 603. —
3 Absol. , to show preference , to act with partiality : inter duos liberos pari desperatione languentes, da bonum patrem, non praeponderabit, Quint. Decl. 8, 9; cf.: neutrum, si in neutram partem praeponderet, inclines , Varr. L. L. 10, § 5 Müll.—
II Act. , to outweigh (class.): qui omnia metiuntur emolumentis et commodis, neque ea volunt praeponderari honestate, to be surpassed , Cic. Off. 3, 4, 18.