動(dòng)詞 prevail:

1. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   同義詞：predominate, dominate, rule, reign
2. be valid, applicable, or true
   同義詞：hold, obtain
3. continue to exist
   同義詞：persist, die hard, run, endure
4. prove superior
   同義詞：triumph
5. use persuasion successfully

1. Sadness prevailed in our mind.
   我們的心中充滿悲痛，
2. Misty weather prevails in this part of the country.
   該國(guó)的這一地區(qū)天氣多霧。

pre.vail

v.intr.（不及物動(dòng)詞）
pre.vailed,pre.vail.ing,pre.vails
To be greater in strength or influence; triumph:
獲勝，占上風(fēng)：力量或影響較大；勝利：
例句：
prevailed against great odds.
以絕對(duì)優(yōu)勢(shì)取勝

To be or become effective; win out:
成功，奏效：有效或變得有效；成功：
例句：
hoped justice would prevail.
希望正義會(huì)取勝

To be most common or frequent; be predominant:
重要，占絕大多數(shù)：最普遍或平常；占絕大多數(shù)：
例句：
a region where snow and ice prevail.
雪、冰較多的地區(qū)

To be in force, use, or effect; be current:
流行：有勢(shì)力，正在用，有影響；現(xiàn)行：
例句：
an ancient tradition that still prevails.
古代的傳統(tǒng)仍舊盛行

To use persuasion or inducement successfully. Often used withon, upon, or with. See Synonyms at persuade
成功地勸服或誘使。經(jīng)常和on, upon 或 with連用 參見 persuade

來(lái)源：
Middle English prevailen
中古英語(yǔ) prevailen
from Old French prevaloir prevaill-
源自 古法語(yǔ) prevaloir prevaill-
from Latin praevalôre [to be stronger]
源自 拉丁語(yǔ) praevalôre [更強(qiáng)大的]
prae- [pre-]
prae- [前綴，表.在…之前.]
valôre [to be strong] * see wal-
valôre [強(qiáng)大的] *參見 wal-

【引伸】
prevail.er
n.（名詞）