2 meanings, 3 uses
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1 —2 uses as in:
reason will prevail
Definition
prove superior or win
- Knowing your natural temper better than I, he could the better judge what arguments to use, whether of tenderness or terror, such as might prevail over your hardness and obstinacy, insomuch that you should no longer hide the name of him who tempted you to this grievous fall.Chapter 3 -- The Recognition (60% in)
prevail = prove superior or win
- He stood, at this moment, on the very proudest eminence of superiority, to which the gifts or intellect, rich lore, prevailing eloquence, and a reputation of whitest sanctity, could exalt a clergyman in New England's earliest days, when the professional character was of itself a lofty pedestal.Chapter 23 -- The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter (19% in)
prevailing = powerful (winning)
There are no more uses of "prevail" flagged with this meaning in The Scarlet Letter.
Typical Usage
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2 —1 use as in:
she prevailed upon him
Definition
use persuasion — especially successfully
- This latter step, however, there was no present prospect that Arthur Dimmesdale would be prevailed upon to take; he rejected all suggestions of the kind, as if priestly celibacy were one of his articles of Church discipline.Chapter 9 -- The Leech (73% in)
prevailed = persuaded
There are no more uses of "prevail" flagged with this meaning in The Scarlet Letter.
Typical Usage
(best examples)