prae-vălĕo, ŭi, 2, v. n.
I 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. Ach. 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. —
II 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.—
B 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.